Hello stanofh, Sorry for late reply...never got notice from email about follow up question. In past three years, coldest I can recall is maybe upper 30s/low 40s at nights during winter (but those are extreme cold spells that last for just few days...normally winter nights are upper 40's/low 50s). Strange thing is last year there was only one harvest of the hanging papayas in summer of around 12 fruits...it was surprise just to see fruit after nothing for 3 years. This year we were able to harvest around 20 fruits in spring and I thought that was it...butt now in fall there is another batch of 25+ fruits. Tree top is now probably reaching 12 foot tall, compared to last year when it was probably 7 or 8 foot tall. We don't use fertilizer or any plant food...the only difference in last year versus previous three years is actually less watering. Mother in law owns farm in thailand...she said to only water tree 2 or 3 times a week.

Definitely a Paulownia anyway. Although P. tomentosa is dominant in western cultivation other species have also been circulated in later years. These are told apart by things like details of the inflorescence structure and hairs on the leaves.

It's rubra. I have that leaf etched in my mind. Agree with Embothrium.... last years acorn caps on the ground or full acorns in combination with leaf is key to identification for most folks. The most serious of folks and experts know the buds, too. Dax

Sorry, no help. We need close ups of details. Plus if it’s an NZ native most people here are US based and not very familiar with your flora. Perhaps best to ask locally.