About Our Project

Our mission to celebrate and protect New Zealand's botanical treasures

About This Website

This website is dedicated to celebrating and sharing knowledge about New Zealand’s unique native plants. Our mission is to provide accurate, accessible, and engaging information for gardeners, conservationists, educators, and anyone interested in Aotearoa’s botanical heritage. Content is curated and reviewed by plant enthusiasts and experts, drawing on scientific research, traditional Māori knowledge, and practical experience. We aim to inspire appreciation, support conservation, and help people make informed choices about native plants in gardens, restoration projects, and everyday life.

Our Story

Connecting New Zealanders with their natural heritage

The New Zealand Native Plants Guide was created out of a deep appreciation for Aotearoa's unique flora and a desire to make information about these special plants more accessible to everyone. Our journey began in 2025 with a simple goal: to create a comprehensive, user-friendly resource that celebrates the beauty, ecological importance, and cultural significance of our native plants.

What started as a personal project quickly evolved into a collaborative effort involving botanists, conservationists, horticulturists, and indigenous knowledge holders. Together, we've created a growing repository of information that we hope inspires more people to incorporate native plants into their gardens and develop a deeper connection with New Zealand's natural environment.

Kōwhai flowers

Kōwhai flowers

Our Mission

Why we do what we do

Education

To provide accessible, accurate information about New Zealand's native plants, their ecology, and cultivation requirements. Explore our guides on native trees, shrubs, and ferns.

Conservation

To promote the conservation of native plants by highlighting their ecological importance and encouraging their use in gardens and landscapes. Learn more about our threatened species.

Cultural Respect

To acknowledge and respect the cultural significance of native plants to Māori and their role in New Zealand's history and identity. Discover plants of cultural significance in our cultural plants section.

Community

To build a community of plant enthusiasts who share knowledge, experiences, and a passion for New Zealand's botanical heritage. Browse our collections of coastal plants, alpine plants, and wetland plants.