Leptospermum tairawhitiense was described in 2023 (de Lange et al. 2023). Chagné et al. (2023), on the basis of microsatellite data, attempted to refute segregation of Aotearoa / New Zealand Leptospermum, preferring to recognise an endemic L. scoparium, despite obvious genetic structure suggesting otherwise. As such their view is not accepted here (see comments by de Lange et al. 2023).

Leptospermum tairawhitiense is a large shrub or small tree endemic to Aotearoa / New Zealand where it is found in a narrow range of less than 100 km² on Te Ika a Maui / North Island. However, the species population is estimated to be in excess of 20,000 individuals and it is often locally common. The population of the species is inferred to be increasing, due to plantings and retiring marginal land from grazing. Population trends and the potential threat of the rust fungus Austropuccinia psidii needs to be monitored, but for now the species is assessed as Least Concern.

This species is endemic to Te Ika a Maui / North Island of Aotearoa / New Zealand where it is confined to the coast and lowland portions of Tairawhiti / East Cape from Hawai in the west to just south of Uawa / Tolaga Bay in the east (de Lange et al. 2023). The area of occupancy is believed to be less than 100 km². Distribution map is generalised.

Leptospermum tairawhitiense is a narrow range endemic whose historic range (based on herbarium specimens) has shown minimal range contraction. The species population is estimated to be in excess of 20,000 subadults (de Laneg et al. 2023) and adults with the largest concentration of the species in the coastal, lowland and river flats east of Potaka and south to near Uawa / Tolaga Bay. In these locations the species is often locally common (de Lange et al. 2023), and on account of its economic importance to the honey and manuka oil industry, and role in stopping soil erosion mostly left as intact functional populations. The population of the species is inferred to be increasing, due to plantings and retiring marginal land from grazing.

A large shrub or small tree of coastal, lowland, and riparian habitats. Leptospermum tairawhitiense is a coloniser of open disturbed ground where it often forms near monospecific stands which may in part be clonal due to the species suckering growth habit (de Lange et al. 2023). In these habitats the species is maintained by frequent flooding, erosion and from time to time fires, in sites where disturbance is lessened Leptospermum is eventually succeeded by taller forest trees. In the coastal and lowland portion of its range Leptospermum tairawhitiense is occasionally found growing with L. hoipolloi and L. scoparium, and at the valley heads and hinterland ranges it is eventually replaced by L. scoparium which is the main species present in the Raukumara Range the axial range of Tairawhiti.

Beyond the assumption that past land clearance for agriculture historically impacted Leptospermum tairawhitiense populations there is no actual evidence of decline. 

As L. aff. scoparium (d) (AK286289; East Cape) was one of several tag name entities whose conservation status was assessed by de Lange et al. (2018) following the detection of the rust Austropuccinia psidii in Aotearoa / New Zealand in May 2017. Austropuccinia causes myrtle rust disease, which inflicts serious damage to the young growth, flowers and fruits of its host and will ultimately cause death (de Lange et al. 2023). Accordingly, L. tairawhitiense as L. aff. scoparium (d) (AK 286289; East Cape) was assessed by them as ‘Threatened / Nationally Vulnerable’ qualified ‘DP’ [Data Poor] and ‘De’ [Designated] because good data on population size and trend was lacking, and because the actual threat from Austropuccinia was anticipated but not confirmed. Since that assessment was made there has been no evidence of myrtle rust disease in wild populations of Leptospermum tairawhitiense, though this species is attacked in cultivation so the rust remains a future threat (de Lange et al. 2023). Therefore de Lange et al. (2024) have reassessed the conservation status of Leptospermum tairawhitiense as ‘At Risk / Naturally Uncommon’. However, as the exact population sizes and trends are unknown this assessment was qualified ‘DPS’ [Data Poor Population Size] and ‘DPT’ [Data Poor Trend] (see de Lange et al. 2023).

The main threat to this species now is ignorance, in part caused by conflicting taxonomic opinion influenced heavily by the ‘manuka honey industry’ which has been keen to confirm the endemic status of Leptospermum scoparium – the parent species from which L. tairawhitiense was segregated – suggested by Buys et al. (2019) but also desiring to accept one species to justify widespread plantings of ‘improved’ selections for the honey industry (see summary in de Lange and Schmid (2021)). Taxonomic segregation poses a problem for plantings as this necessitates more care over the location of plantings to prevent hybridization with local indigenous populations. The matter is further muddied by Maori, some of whose iwi want local the genetic integrity of local Leptospermum populations protected from the honey industries plantings and others who want widespread plantings to increase honey yields for their businesses. Pragmatic taxonomic decisions are therefore being overlooked or discredited which an unfortunate consequence to the conservation of Leptospermum of Aotearoa / New Zealand (see comments by de Lange et al. 2023). In the case of Leptospermum tairawhitiense however, a proactive stance from Te Whanau a Apanui and Ngati Porou to protect the species due to its economic importance and rongoa (medicinal) properties has helped secure the key sites from the risk of plantings of other Leptospermum species. So the risk of hybridism in this species is less than it is for other species outside Tairawhiti.

Though easily grown from fresh seed the species is scarce in cultivation. Within its natural range it is now widely cultivated and grown commercially to produce ‘manuka’ honey and oil (de Lange et al. 2023). Several industries are run by Te Whanau a Apanui and Ngati Porou, iwi on whose rohe (land) Leptospermum tairawhitiense grows and who exercise mana whenua (customary rights) to the lands and biota of Tairawhiti. L. tairawhitiense is protected by these iwi who, because of its economic value, have strict controls in place to ensure the species' genetic integrity.

Leptospermum tairawhitiense is currently considered secure on account of its economic importance and role in helping prevent soil erosion (de Lange et al. 2023). The species is widely grown and planted by iwi who grow it from its important oils and ability to make high quality manuka honey. The habitats occupied by the species are often marginal for farming and flood prone, so in these sites the species is either being planted or regrowth encouraged. These actions are sufficient to ensure its persistence. The only threat that cannot be managed is the spread of Austropuccinia which will at some stage impact on the species. As yet there are no known effective treatments to prevent the spread and impact of this rust on its hosts.