Native Threatened Species of New Zealand | NZ Native Plants

Kauri (Agathis australis)

Introduction

Overview

New Zealand's unique flora faces many challenges. Discover our most vulnerable native species and learn about the conservation efforts to protect them.

The causes of decline for New Zealand's native plants are varied, including habitat loss, introduced pests and weeds, climate change, and human activity. Many threatened species now survive only in small, isolated populations, making them vulnerable to local extinction events.

Conservation efforts include seed banking, habitat protection, pest control, and cultivation programs. By learning about these threatened plants and supporting conservation initiatives, we can all contribute to ensuring these botanical treasures survive for future generations to appreciate.

Understanding Conservation Status Categories

Threatened

Facing high risk of extinction in the wild, including Nationally Critical, Nationally Endangered, and Nationally Vulnerable categories.

At Risk

Not immediately threatened but could become so if population trends continue, including Declining, Recovering, Relict, and Naturally Uncommon categories.

Not Threatened

Evaluated and not found to be at risk currently.

Chatham Island Forget-Me-Not

Chatham Island Forget-Me-Not

Myosotidium hortensia

Spectacular island mega-herb with giant leaves and vibrant blue flowers, threatened by habitat loss and browsing pests.

Cheeseman's Daisy (Olearia cheesemanii)

Cheeseman's Daisy

Olearia cheesemanii

Cheeseman's Daisy is a rare streamside tree daisy with masses of white flowers, critically endangered and requiring urgent conservation efforts.

Dwarf Rush

Dwarf Rush

Juncus pusillus

Diminutive native rush listed as 'At Risk - Naturally Uncommon', forming tufted patches in mountain bogs and muddy tarn margins.

Short Rush

Short Rush

Juncus scheuchzerioides

Densely tufted subantarctic rush listed as 'At Risk - Naturally Uncommon', found in wet peaty turf and remote island stream margins.

Coastal Peppercress (Lepidium banksii)

Coastal Peppercress

Lepidium banksii

Critically endangered coastal herb with fleshy leaves, historically used to combat scurvy and now functionally extinct in the wild.

Cook's Scurvy Grass (Lepidium oleraceum)

Cook's Scurvy Grass

Lepidium oleraceum

Coastal herb once valued for preventing scurvy, now threatened by habitat loss and browsing pressure.

New Zealand Mint

New Zealand Mint

Mentha cunninghamii

Fragrant native herb listed as 'At Risk - Declining' due to habitat degradation and competition from invasive weeds.

Crimson Rata

Crimson Rata

Metrosideros carminea

Once common, this beautiful climbing rata is now threatened by Myrtle Rust, making its cultivation vital for preservation.

Fairchild's Kōhūhū (Pittosporum fairchildii)

Fairchild's Kōhūhū

Pittosporum fairchildii

Fairchild's kōhūhū is a rare native tree with attractive foliage, found in specific forest habitats.

Fragrant Tree Daisy (Olearia fragrantissima)

Fragrant Tree Daisy

Olearia fragrantissima

Fragrant Tree Daisy produces intensely fragrant apricot-peach scented flowers, an At Risk declining species valued for its exceptional perfume.

Hector's Tree Daisy (Olearia hectorii)

Hector's Tree Daisy

Olearia hectorii

Hector's Tree Daisy is a critically endangered deciduous native supporting endemic moths, requiring urgent conservation with fewer than 50 wild plants remaining.

Kauri (Agathis australis)

Kauri

Agathis australis

Ancient forest giant threatened by kauri dieback disease, a water mold that infects the tree through its roots and has spread rapidly in recent decades.

Kākābeak (Clianthus maximus)

Kākābeak North Island

Clianthus maximus

Striking shrub with brilliant red, beak-shaped flowers that now has fewer than 200 plants remaining in the wild due to habitat loss and browsing animals.

Kākābeak (Clianthus puniceus)

Kākābeak South Island

Clianthus puniceus

Kākābeak is a critically endangered native shrub with distinctive red flowers shaped like a parrot's beak.

Mikimiki (Coprosma linariifolia)

Mikimiki

Coprosma linariifolia

Mikimiki is a small native shrub with narrow leaves and small flowers, found in forest understories.

North Cape Hebe

North Cape Hebe

Veronica punicea

Rare ultramafic endemic shrub with striking magenta flowers; found only at Surville Cliffs and classified as At Risk - Naturally Uncommon.

Orange New Zealand Iris (Libertia peregrinans)

Orange New Zealand Iris

Libertia peregrinans

Orange New Zealand Iris features striking orange-copper foliage that glows in sunlight, with white flowers and important conservation needs in the wild.

Poor Knights Lily (Xeronema callistemon)

Poor Knights Lily

Xeronema callistemon

Poor Knights Lily displays spectacular red bottlebrush flowers unique to New Zealand, naturally restricted to offshore islands but popular in cultivation.

Scented Tree Daisy (Olearia odorata)

Scented Tree Daisy

Olearia odorata

Scented Tree Daisy produces sweetly fragrant white flowers beloved by native moths, an At Risk declining species needing habitat protection.

Scarlet Mistletoe (Peraxilla colensoi)

Scarlet Mistletoe

Peraxilla colensoi

Scarlet Mistletoe produces spectacular red explosive flowers. Featured on New Zealand's $2 note, it is one of our most endangered parasitic plants.

Three Kings Kaikomako

Three Kings Kaikomako

Pennantia baylisiana

One of the world's rarest trees, this island endemic was rescued from the absolute brink of extinction.

Three Kings Vine

Three Kings Vine

Tecomanthe speciosa

Spectacular climber rescued from a single plant, now prized for its lush foliage and large creamy winter flowers.

White Sedge (Carex albula)

White Sedge

Carex albula

White Sedge is a critically threatened South Island endemic with distinctive pale foliage, found only in specialized wetland habitats requiring conservation.

Holloway's Crystalwort (Atriplex hollowayi)

Holloway's Crystalwort

Atriplex hollowayi

Comprehensive guide to the Nationally Critical Holloway's Crystalwort (Atriplex hollowayi), featuring its unique frosted habit and the challenges of its conservation.

Kirk's Daisy (Brachyglottis kirkii)

Kirk's Daisy

Brachyglottis kirkii

Nationally Vulnerable native shrub known for its white daisy-like flowers and unique ability to grow epiphytically in North Island forests.

Wood Rose (Dactylanthus taylorii)

Wood Rose

Dactylanthus taylorii

Also known as Pua o te Rēinga, this rare parasitic plant grows entirely underground, emerging only to produce its extraordinary mushroom-like flowers.

Dwarf Mistletoe (Korthalsella salicornioides)

Dwarf Mistletoe

Korthalsella salicornioides

Tiny, succulent parasitic plant with beaded stems that resemble the branches of its common hosts, Mānuka and Kānuka.

Bartlett's Rātā (Metrosideros bartlettii)

Bartlett's Rātā

Metrosideros bartlettii

One of the world's rarest trees, endemic to the far north and distinguished by its white flowers and unique papery bark.

Shrubby Tororaro (Muehlenbeckia astonii)

Shrubby Tororaro

Muehlenbeckia astonii

Unique and threatened divaricating shrub with interlaced orange branches, ideal for hedging and dry-land restoration.

Leafless Pōhuehue (Muehlenbeckia ephedroides)

Leafless Pōhuehue

Muehlenbeckia ephedroides

A unique sprawling, grey-toned native shrub that often appears leafless, forming dense mats in rugged coastal and riverbed environments.

Heart-leaved Kōhūhū (Pittosporum obcordatum)

Heart-leaved Kōhūhū

Pittosporum obcordatum

A rare and elegant columnar shrub with tiny heart-shaped leaves and a distinctive divaricating growth habit, specialized for fertile lowland river flats.

Red-Flowered Pittosporum (Pittosporum patulum)

Red-Flowered Pittosporum

Pittosporum patulum

A rare and threatened South Island shrub or small tree with a distinctive upright form and sweetly scented flowers, naturally at home in montane forest margins.

White Mistletoe (Tupeia antarctica)

White Mistletoe

Tupeia antarctica

A rare and fascinating semi-parasitic shrub with pale grey bark and bright green leaves, producing small white to pinkish berries beloved by native birds.

Cypress Hebe (Veronica cupressoides)

Cypress Hebe

Veronica cupressoides

A rare and highly distinctive native shrub with whipcord branches that mimic a cypress tree, emitting a delightful turpentine scent and producing delicate pale flowers.

Napuka (Veronica speciosa)

Napuka

Veronica speciosa

A showy and resilient coastal shrub with glossy leathery leaves and striking magenta flower spikes, now Nationally Vulnerable due to habitat loss and hybridization.

Fringed Tree Daisy (Olearia fimbriata)

Fringed Tree Daisy

Olearia fimbriata

Rare and distinctive divaricating shrub with small leaves and highly fragrant flowers, found in the eastern South Island.

Gardner's Tree Daisy (Olearia gardneri)

Gardner's Tree Daisy

Olearia gardneri

Critically threatened deciduous shrub with small leaves and pale yellow flowers, found in only a few North Island locations.

Fierce Lancewood (Pseudopanax ferox)

Fierce Lancewood

Pseudopanax ferox

Striking and rare native tree known for its unusual juvenile leaves that point downwards, eventually maturing into a more conventional tree form.

Northland Horopito (Pseudowintera insperata)

Northland Horopito

Pseudowintera insperata

Rare and localized evergreen shrub with glossy leaves, endemic to Northland and distinguished by its unique floral characteristics.