Trees
About New Zealand Native Trees
New Zealand’s native trees are vital to the country’s unique ecosystems, providing habitat, stabilizing soils, and supporting biodiversity. The forests are home to ancient giants like kauri (Agathis australis), tōtara (Podocarpus totara), and rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum), as well as fast-growing pioneers such as mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) and kānuka (Kunzea ericoides). These trees are valued for their ecological roles, cultural significance, and use in restoration and landscaping projects across the country.
Many of New Zealand's native trees are evergreen, with distinctive forms that define the character of our landscapes. They provide habitat for native birds and insects, help prevent erosion, and hold immense cultural significance for both Māori and European New Zealanders.
Explore our collection of native New Zealand trees below to learn about their care requirements, cultural significance, and how to incorporate them into your garden or landscape.
Kauri
Agathis australis
Ancient forest giant with massive trunk and distinctive foliage, once covering much of upper North Island.
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Kōwhai
Sophora microphylla
Kōwhai is a small native tree known for its bright yellow spring flowers, which attract native birds like tui and bellbirds.
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Kohekohe
Didymocheton spectabilis
Kohekohe (Didymocheton spectabilis) is a rare native tree with attractive foliage, found in select forest habitats in New Zealand.
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Pōhutukawa
Metrosideros excelsa
Pōhutukawa is a coastal tree famous for its brilliant red flowers in summer, often called the New Zealand Christmas tree.
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Northern Rātā
Metrosideros robusta
Northern Rātā is a large native tree with striking red flowers, important for forest ecosystems and native wildlife.
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Ngaio
Myoporum laetum
Ngaio is a fast-growing coastal tree with glossy leaves and small white flowers, often used for shelter and erosion control.
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Nīkau Palm
Rhopalostylis sapida
Nīkau Palm is New Zealand's only native palm, with a slender trunk and graceful fronds, found in coastal and lowland forests.
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Tōtara
Podocarpus totara
Tōtara is a large, long-lived native tree valued for its durable timber and as a habitat for native birds. It is a keystone species in New Zealand forests, supporting a wide range of wildlife.
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Pūriri
Vitex lucens
Large native tree with glossy leaves and pink flowers, valued for its timber and as a food source for native birds.
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Large-Leaved Kōwhai
Sophora tetraptera
A kōwhai tree with larger leaves and flowers, known for its bright yellow spring blooms that attract native birds.
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Cabbage Tree
Cordyline australis
Iconic New Zealand tree with long, sword-shaped leaves and clusters of fragrant white flowers. Tolerant of a wide range of conditions and important in Māori culture.
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Mountain Cabbage Tree
Cordyline indivisa
Mountain cabbage tree is a broad-leaved species with blue-green foliage, found in cool, moist mountain regions.
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Mamaku / Black Tree Fern
Cyathea medullaris
Mamaku, or black tree fern, is New Zealand's tallest tree fern, with a thick black trunk and large, arching fronds.
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Grass Tree
Dracophyllum filifolium
Grass tree (Dracophyllum filifolium) is a slender, grass-like shrub with tufts of fine leaves, common in alpine and subalpine areas.
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Kāmahi
Pterophylla racemosa
Kāmahi is a common native tree with clusters of small white flowers, important for honey production and forest structure.
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Bush Lawyer
Rubus cissoides
Bush Lawyer is a vigorous native climber with prickly stems and edible red fruit, found in forests and scrublands.
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Miro
Prumnopitys ferruginea
Miro is a large native conifer with edible fruit, important for native birds and traditional Māori uses.
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Mataī
Prumnopitys taxifolia
Mataī is a tall native tree with distinctive bark and blue-black fruit, valued for timber and wildlife habitat.
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Five-Finger
Pseudopanax arboreus
Five-finger is a fast-growing small tree with distinctive leaves, common in native forests and gardens.
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Lancewood
Pseudopanax crassifolius
Lancewood is a unique native tree with dramatic juvenile and adult forms, often used in landscaping.
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Rewarewa
Knightia excelsa
Tall tree with distinctive red flowers, valued for its timber and as a nectar source for birds.
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Tītoki
Alectryon excelsus
A small native tree with glossy leaves and black seeds surrounded by bright red flesh, often used in landscaping and as a specimen tree.
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Kermadec Nīkau
Rhopalostylis baueri
A tall palm native to the Kermadec Islands, similar to the mainland nīkau but with larger fruit and a more robust trunk.
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Yellow Pine
Halocarpus biformis
Yellow pine is a small native conifer with distinctive yellow-green foliage, found in alpine and subalpine areas.
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Lacebark
Hoheria populnea
Lacebark is a fast-growing native tree with attractive white flowers and distinctive bark that peels in strips.
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Kawaka
Libocedrus plumosa
Kawaka is a tall native conifer with distinctive scale-like leaves and small cones, found in coastal forests.
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Toro
Myrsine salicina
Toro is a small native tree with glossy leaves and small flowers, valued for its ornamental qualities.
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Black Beech
Nothofagus solandri
Black beech is a large native tree with dark bark and small leaves, important for forest ecosystems.
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Milk Tree
Paratrophis banksii
Milk tree is a small native tree with distinctive white sap, found in coastal and lowland forests.
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Fairchild's Kohuhu
Pittosporum fairchildii
Fairchild's kohuhu is a rare native tree with attractive foliage, found in specific forest habitats.
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Turner's Kohuhu
Pittosporum turneri
Turner's kohuhu is a small native tree with glossy leaves and fragrant flowers.
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Ribbonwood
Plagianthus regius
Ribbonwood is a graceful native tree with distinctive bark and small flowers, often used in landscaping.
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Tawhero
Pterophylla sylvicola
Tawhero is a large native tree with clusters of small flowers, important for forest structure and wildlife.
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Swamp Maire
Syzygium maire
Swamp maire is a wetland tree with glossy leaves and white flowers, found in swampy areas.
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