Drama about deity striking a tree (5)

I believe the answer is:

ngaio

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'tree' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for ngaio that I've seen before include "foreign tree" , "- - Marsh, crime writer" , "- Marsh, NZ detective novelist" , "New Zealand tree" , "- Marsh, NZ author" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.

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