DNA tests on the plants from both the Ureweras and Maungataniwha by Landcare Research plant geneticist Gary Houliston found a genetic diversity - which was a good indicator of that population's strength.
Mr Shaw said the fact those plants were out there highlighted the value of continued field searching.
Rachel's Plant had subsequently produced a lot of seed, some of which had been used in the trust's Kakabeak propagation effort.
"Potentially, this will make for a much more robust lot of plants in our Kakabeak orchards," Mr Shaw said.
"With any luck these plants will themselves produce good crops of robust and genetically diverse seed, which we can use to re-establish a viable population of Kakabeak in the wild."