Clianthus maximus, commonly known as kaka beak (kōwhai ngutu-kākā in Māori), is a woody legume shrub native to New Zealand's North Island.

[2][3] The species is endangered in the wild, with only 153 trees found in a 2005 survey (down from over 1000 in 1996), in the East Coast and northern Hawkes Bay regions.

[3] It produces a green pea-like pod that will split when ripe to release it's small and hard seeds, which are wind dispersed.

They germinate in response to light gaps, enabling the plant to survive in semi-open environments.

[2] There are only 153 confirmed trees in the wild, and their sites in the East Coast and northern Hawkes Bay regions are threatened by a range of factors (including browsing animals, disease, fire, and erosion).