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
Ancient forest giant with massive trunk and distinctive foliage, once covering much of upper North Island.
Learn more
Kōwhai
New Zealand's unofficial national flower, known for spectacular golden blooms in spring and beloved by native birds.
Learn more
Didymocheton
Iconic palm-like tree with tufted foliage, highly adaptable and culturally significant as .
Learn more
Pōhutukawa
New Zealand's iconic coastal tree, known as the 'New Zealand Christmas Tree' for its brilliant red flowers.
Learn more
Northern Rātā
A remarkable tree that begins life as an epiphyte and eventually becomes a forest giant with crimson flowers.
Learn more
Ngaio
Fast-growing coastal tree with glossy leaves and white flowers, excellent for shelter and hedging.
Learn more
Nīkau Palm
New Zealand's only native palm, iconic for its tropical look and cultural significance.
Learn more
Tōtara
Large, long-lived native tree valued for its durable timber and cultural significance. Provides habitat for native birds.
Learn more
Pūriri
A broad-leaved native tree with beautiful pink flowers and berries, important for birds and Māori culture.
Learn moreMountain
Cordyline indivisa
Mountain cabbage tree is a broad-leaved species with blue-green foliage, found in cool, moist mountain regions.
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.
Dracophyllum filifolium
Grass tree
Grass tree (Dracophyllum filifolium) is a slender, grass-like shrub with tufts of fine leaves, common in alpine and subalpine areas.
Kāmahi
Important canopy tree in New Zealand forests, previously known as Weinmannia racemosa.
Learn more
Bush Lawyer
Vigorous native climbing plant with prickly stems and edible red berries. Provides food and habitat for native birds in forest ecosystems.
Learn more
