Native Trees of New Zealand | NZ Native Plants

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Introduction

Overview

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. For our complete native plant collection, visit our main plant guide .

Makamaka (Ackama rosifolia)

Makamaka

Ackama rosifolia

Elegant evergreen tree with rose-like foliage and delicate flower panicles, endemic to the northern North Island.

Alectryon Excelsus

Tātoki

Alectryon excelsus

Tātoki is fast-growing with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Beilschmiedia Tarairi

Taraire

Beilschmiedia tarairi

Taraire is long-lived with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Beilschmiedia Tawa

Tawa

Beilschmiedia tawa

Tawa is coastal-tolerant with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Corynocarpus Laevigatus

Karaka

Corynocarpus laevigatus

Corynocarpus Laevigatus is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Dacrycarpus Dacrydioides

Kahikatea

Dacrycarpus dacrydioides

Kahikatea is fast-growing with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Dacrydium Cupressinum

Rimu

Dacrydium cupressinum

Rimu is fast-growing with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Dicksonia Fibrosa

Whēkī-Ponga

Dicksonia fibrosa

Whēkī-ponga is bird-attracting with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Dicksonia Squarrosa

Whēkī

Dicksonia squarrosa

Whēkī is resilient with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Chatham Grass Tree

Chatham Grass Tree

Dracophyllum arboreum

Chatham Grass Tree is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Kohekohe

Kohekohe

Dysoxylum spectabile

Kohekohe is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Elaeocarpus Dentatus

Hīnau

Elaeocarpus dentatus

Elaeocarpus Dentatus is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Pōkākā

Pōkākā

Elaeocarpus hookerianus

Pōkākā is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Entelea Arborescens

Whau

Entelea arborescens

Whau is wind-hardy with notable attractive form; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Fuscospora Solandri

Black Beech Lowland

Fuscospora solandri

Fuscospora Solandri is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Fuscospora Truncata

Hard Beech

Fuscospora truncata

Fuscospora Truncata is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Broadleaf

Broadleaf

Griselinia lucida

Broadleaf is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Bog Pine

Bog Pine

Halocarpus bidwillii

Bog Pine is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Monoao

Monoao

Halocarpus kirkii

Monoao is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Hedycarya Arborea

Pigeonwood

Hedycarya arborea

Pigeonwood is coastal-tolerant with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Hoheria Angustifolia

Narrow-Leaved Lacebark

Hoheria angustifolia

Narrow-leaved Lacebark is resilient with notable attractive form; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Hoheria Glabrata

Mountain Ribbonwood

Hoheria glabrata

Mountain Ribbonwood is resilient with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Hoheria Lyallii

Lacebark

Hoheria lyallii

Lacebark is wind-hardy with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Hoheria Populnea

New Zealand Lacebark

Hoheria populnea

New Zealand Lacebark is resilient with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Hoheria Sexstylosa

Long-Leaved Lacebark

Hoheria sexstylosa

Long-leaved Lacebark is coastal-tolerant with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Ixerba Brexioides

Tāwari

Ixerba brexioides

Tāwari is long-lived with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Knightia Excelsa

Rewarewa

Knightia excelsa

Rewarewa is bird-attracting with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Laurelia Novae-zelandiae

Pukatea

Laurelia novae-zelandiae

Pukatea is coastal-tolerant with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Mingimingi

Mingimingi

Leucopogon fasciculatus

Tall, endemic New Zealand shrub or small tree with fragrant white flowers and bird-attracting red to white fruits.

Libocedrus Plumosa

Kawaka

Libocedrus plumosa

Kawaka is long-lived with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Silver Beech

Silver Beech

Lophozonia menziesii

Silver Beech is a deciduous native tree found throughout New Zealand's South Island forests.

Metrosideros Excelsa

Pōhutukawa

Metrosideros excelsa

Pōhutukawa is resilient with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Metrosideros Robusta

Northern Rātā

Metrosideros robusta

Northern Rātā is bird-attracting with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Metrosideros Umbellata

Southern Rātā

Metrosideros umbellata

Southern Rātā is long-lived with notable shelter value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Willow-leaved Maire

Willow-Leaved Maire

Mida salicifolia

Willow-leaved Maire is a rare hemi-parasitic tree endemic to New Zealand's North Island.

Nestegis Cunninghamii

Black Maire

Nestegis cunninghamii

Black Maire is coastal-tolerant with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Nestegis Lanceolata

White Maire

Nestegis lanceolata

White Maire is coastal-tolerant with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Nothofagus Fusca

Red Beech

Nothofagus fusca

Red Beech is resilient with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Nothofagus Solandri

Black Beech Mountain

Nothofagus solandri

Black Beech is bird-attracting with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Olearia Solandri

Coastal Tree Daisy

Olearia solandri

Coastal Tree Daisy is coastal-tolerant with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Olearia Traversiorum

Chatham Island Akeake

Olearia traversiorum

Chatham Island Akeake is coastal-tolerant with notable shelter value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Paratrophis Banksii

Island Milk Tree

Paratrophis banksii

Island Milk Tree is resilient with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Three Kings Kaikomako

Three Kings Kaikomako

Pennantia baylisiana

Three Kings Kaikomako is one of the world's rarest trees, a stunning island endemic rescued from the brink of extinction.

Kaikōmako

Kaikōmako

Pennantia corymbosa

Kaikōmako is a distinctive native tree with clusters of white flowers and orange berries.

Kawakawa (Piper excelsum)

Kawakawa

Piper excelsum

A distinctive small tree with heart-shaped leaves and jointed stems, renowned for its significant medicinal properties in traditional Māori rongoā.

Pittosporum Colensoi

Colenso's Pittosporum

Pittosporum colensoi

Colenso's Pittosporum is wind-hardy with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Tāwhiri Karo

Tāwhiri Karo

Pittosporum cornifolium

Unique epiphytic shrub with glossy whorled leaves and fragrant flowers, often found perching in forest giants.

Pittosporum Crassifolium

Kāro

Pittosporum crassifolium

Kāro is coastal-tolerant with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Kahurangi Pittosporum

Kahurangi Pittosporum

Pittosporum dallii

Exceedingly rare mountain tree with fragrant white flowers and distinctive toothed leaves, endemic to Kahurangi.

Pittosporum Eugenioides

Lemonwood

Pittosporum eugenioides

Lemonwood is resilient with notable attractive form; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Heart-leaved Kōhūhū (Pittosporum obcordatum)

Heart-leaved Kōhūhū

Pittosporum obcordatum

A rare and elegant columnar shrub or small tree 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.

Northern Kōhūhū

Northern Kōhūhū

Pittosporum pimeleoides

Rare and delicate northern shrub with wiry stems and highly fragrant yellow-and-red winter flowers.

Pittosporum Tenuifolium

Kōhūhū

Pittosporum tenuifolium

Kōhūhū is fast-growing with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Pittosporum Turneri

Turner's Pittosporum

Pittosporum turneri

Turner's Pittosporum is long-lived with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Plagianthus Regius

Ribbonwood

Plagianthus regius

Ribbonwood is coastal-tolerant with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Planchonella Costata

Tawāpou

Planchonella costata

Tawāpou is fast-growing with notable attractive form; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Mountain Tōtara

Mountain Tōtara

Podocarpus laetus

Mountain Tōtara is a hardy native coniferous tree found in high-altitude forests.

Snow Tōtara

Snow Tōtara

Podocarpus nivalis

Snow Tōtara is a low-growing native conifer adapted to alpine and subalpine environments.

Podocarpus Totara

Tōtara

Podocarpus totara

Tōtara is long-lived with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Prumnopitys Ferruginea

Miro

Prumnopitys ferruginea

Miro is fast-growing with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Prumnopitys Taxifolia

Mataī

Prumnopitys taxifolia

Mataī is resilient with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Pseudopanax Arboreus

Five Finger

Pseudopanax arboreus

Five Finger is wind-hardy with notable attractive form; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Pseudopanax Crassifolius

Lancewood

Pseudopanax crassifolius

Lancewood is resilient with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Mountain Lancewood

Mountain Lancewood

Pseudopanax linearis

Structural subalpine tree with unique linear foliage and distinct growth stages, found in high South Island forests.

Raukawa

Raukawa

Raukaua edgerleyi

Raukawa is an elegant evergreen tree prized for its glossy green, highly aromatic foliage.

Pāte

Pāte

Schefflera digitata

Pāte is a distinctive native tree with large palmate leaves and clusters of small flowers.

Coastal Kōwhai

Coastal Kōwhai

Sophora chathamica

Coastal Kōwhai is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Kōwhai

Kōwhai

Sophora microphylla

Kōwhai is New Zealand's national flower, producing spectacular golden blooms in spring.

Small-leaved Milk Tree

Small-Leaved Milk Tree

Streblus heterophyllus

Small-leaved Milk Tree is a rare native tree with distinctive variable leaf shapes.

Three Kings Milk Tree

Three Kings Milk Tree

Streblus smithii

Three Kings Milk Tree is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Syzygium Maire

Swamp Maire

Syzygium maire

Swamp Maire is bird-attracting with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Weinmannia Racemosa

Kāmahi Tree

Weinmannia racemosa

Weinmannia Racemosa is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.

Makomako (Aristotelia serrata)

Makomako

Aristotelia serrata

Fast-growing small tree with deeply serrated leaves, colourful flowers, and edible berries; a vital pioneer species.

Hutu (Ascarina lucida)

Hutu

Ascarina lucida

Ornamental evergreen small tree with glossy foliage and white berries, endemic to New Zealand forests.

Rangiora (Brachyglottis repanda)

Rangiora

Brachyglottis repanda

Fast-growing large shrub or small tree with broad, papery leaves and large clusters of creamy flowers; known as "bushman's friend."

Marbleleaf (Carpodetus serratus)

Marbleleaf

Carpodetus serratus

Discover how to grow and care for Marbleleaf (Carpodetus serratus), a beautiful and ecologically important native tree of New Zealand.

Tree Coprosma (Coprosma arborea)

Tree Coprosma

Coprosma arborea

Learn to grow and care for Tree Coprosma (Coprosma arborea), a beautiful and resilient native New Zealand tree known as Mamangi.

Chatham Islands Coprosma (Coprosma chathamica)

Chatham Islands Coprosma

Coprosma chathamica

Learn how to grow and care for the Chatham Islands Coprosma (Coprosma chathamica), a hardy and attractive native tree from a unique part of New Zealand.

Tutu (Coriaria arborea)

Tutu

Coriaria arborea

Tutu shrub/tree with racemes of flowers and black ‘berries’; identification, habitat and cultivation notes (toxic plant).

Akeake (Dodonaea viscosa)

Akeake

Dodonaea viscosa

Akeake is a fast-growing, wind-hardy small tree with wavy leaves and papery seed capsules, traditionally valued for its exceptionally hard wood.

Mountain Neinei (Dracophyllum traversii)

Mountain Neinei

Dracophyllum traversii

Mountain Neinei is an iconic, slow-growing native tree with reddish-brown rosettes of leaves, primarily found in cool, wet montane forests.

Kānuka (Kunzea ericoides)

Kānuka

Kunzea ericoides

Kunzea ericoides, or Kānuka, is a prolific and hardy native tree, essential for forest regeneration and valued for its medicinal properties and hard, durable wood.

Pāhautea (Libocedrus bidwillii)

Pāhautea

Libocedrus bidwillii

Pāhautea, or Mountain Cedar, is a slow-growing, elegant native conifer with scale-like leaves and a tapered crown, found in subalpine and montane forests.

Ramarama (Lophomyrtus bullata)

Ramarama

Lophomyrtus bullata

Ramarama is a beautiful evergreen tree with distinctive blistered leaves that turn deep reddish-bronze in winter, producing white flowers and dark berries.

Rōhutu (Lophomyrtus obcordata)

Rōhutu

Lophomyrtus obcordata

Rōhutu is a slender evergreen tree with heart-shaped leaves and attractive white flowers, followed by berries that change from red to black as they ripen.

Puka (Meryta sinclairii)

Puka

Meryta sinclairii

Puka is an iconic tree from the Three Kings Islands, renowned for its large, glossy green leaves and robust, tropical appearance.

Bartlett's Rātā (Metrosideros bartlettii)

Bartlett's Rātā

Metrosideros bartlettii

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

Kermadec Pōhutukawa (Metrosideros kermadecensis)

Kermadec Pōhutukawa

Metrosideros kermadecensis

Stunning evergreen tree endemic to New Zealand's Kermadec Islands, prized for its year-round crimson flowers and its role as a resilient coastal pioneer.

Ngaio (Myoporum laetum)

Ngaio

Myoporum laetum

Fast-growing coastal tree with bright green, translucent-spotted leaves and attractive white flowers, highly valued for its ability to withstand salt-laden winds.

Toro (Myrsine salicina)

Toro

Myrsine salicina

Elegant evergreen tree with long, narrow, leathery leaves and small purple fruit, commonly found in lowland to montane forests throughout New Zealand.

Coastal Maire (Nestegis apetala)

Coastal Maire

Nestegis apetala

Coastal Maire is a handsome evergreen tree with broad, leathery leaves, resilient in exposed maritime conditions and found in coastal forests.

Narrow-leaved Maire (Nestegis montana)

Narrow-leaved Maire

Nestegis montana

Elegant evergreen tree with slender branches and very narrow, leathery leaves, typically found in montane and subalpine forests throughout New Zealand.

Oval-Leaved Pittosporum (Pittosporum ellipticum)

Oval-Leaved Pittosporum

Pittosporum ellipticum

Handsome tree or large shrub with leathery, elliptic leaves and clusters of fragrant dark flowers, primarily found in coastal and lowland forests of the North Island.

Hutton's Kōhūhū (Pittosporum huttonianum)

Hutton's Kōhūhū

Pittosporum huttonianum

Attractive small tree or shrub with silvery-grey foliage and dark red flowers, endemic to Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula.

Karo (Pittosporum ralphii)

Karo

Pittosporum ralphii

Hardy evergreen shrub or small tree with leathery leaves and fragrant dark red flowers, often found in coastal and lowland areas of the North Island.

Haekaro (Pittosporum umbellatum)

Haekaro

Pittosporum umbellatum

Attractive small tree or shrub with leathery leaves and umbels of fragrant red flowers, endemic to the coastal and lowland forests of the northern North Island.

Slender Kōhūhū (Pittosporum virgatum)

Slender Kōhūhū

Pittosporum virgatum

Rare and delicate native tree with a distinct juvenile stage of interlaced branches, maturing into an elegant tree with fragrant dark red flowers.

Fierce Lancewood (Pseudopanax ferox)

Fierce Lancewood

Pseudopanax ferox

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

Kāmahi (Pterophylla racemosa)

Kāmahi

Pterophylla racemosa

New Zealand's most abundant forest tree, an essential pioneer species producing spikes of white flowers and valued for its hard timber and tannin-rich bark.

Forest Maire (Pterophylla sylvicola)

Forest Maire

Pterophylla sylvicola

Medium-sized evergreen tree endemic to the northern North Island, known for its glossy compound leaves and spikes of small white flowers.

Tāwheowheo (Quintinia serrata)

Tāwheowheo

Quintinia serrata

Attractive evergreen tree with mottled, serrated leaves and spikes of small white flowers, typical of the wet forests of the South Island's West Coast.

Godley's Kōwhai (Sophora godleyi)

Godley's Kōwhai

Sophora godleyi

Elegant native tree with pendulous branches and spectacular golden-yellow flowers, endemic to the central North Island and well-adapted to limestone regions.

Long-Keel Kōwhai (Sophora longicarinata)

Long-Keel Kōwhai

Sophora longicarinata

A graceful limestone-loving kōwhai from the northern South Island, distinguished by its exceptionally long-keeled yellow flowers and fine, feathery foliage.

Willow-Leaf Hebe (Veronica salicifolia)

Willow-Leaf Hebe

Veronica salicifolia (synonym)

Fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree with willow-like leaves and drooping spikes of fragrant white to pale lilac flowers, a quintessential part of the New Zealand bush.

Koromiko (Veronica stricta)

Koromiko

Veronica stricta

Important Rongoā plant and hardy pioneer shrub featuring long pale green leaves and dense spikes of white flowers, thriving in open and disturbed habitats.