Introduction
Overview
New Zealand's native trees are vital to the countrys 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.
Tātoki
Alectryon excelsus
Tātoki is fast-growing with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Taraire
Beilschmiedia tarairi
Taraire is long-lived with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Tawa
Beilschmiedia tawa
Tawa is coastal-tolerant with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Colenso's Pittosporum
Pittosporum colensoi
Colenso's Pittosporum is wind-hardy with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Karo
Pittosporum crassifolium
Karo is coastal-tolerant with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Lemonwood
Pittosporum eugenioides
Lemonwood is resilient with notable attractive form; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Kōhūhū
Pittosporum tenuifolium
Kōhūhū is fast-growing with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Turner's Pittosporum
Pittosporum turneri
Turner's Pittosporum is long-lived with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Ribbonwood
Plagianthus regius
Ribbonwood is coastal-tolerant with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Tawapou
Planchonella costata
Tawapou is fast-growing with notable attractive form; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Tōtara
Podocarpus totara
Tōtara is long-lived with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Miro
Prumnopitys ferruginea
Miro is fast-growing with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Mataī
Prumnopitys taxifolia
Mataī is resilient with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Five Finger
Pseudopanax arboreus
Five Finger is wind-hardy with notable attractive form; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Lancewood
Pseudopanax crassifolius
Lancewood is resilient with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Swamp Maire
Syzygium maire
Swamp Maire is bird-attracting with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Island Milk Tree
Paratrophis banksii
Island Milk Tree is resilient with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Kahikatea
Dacrycarpus dacrydioides
Kahikatea is fast-growing with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Rimu
Dacrydium cupressinum
Rimu is fast-growing with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Wheki-ponga
Dicksonia fibrosa
Wheki-ponga is bird-attracting with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Wheki
Dicksonia squarrosa
Wheki is resilient with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Whau
Entelea arborescens
Whau is wind-hardy with notable attractive form; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Pigeonwood
Hedycarya arborea
Pigeonwood is coastal-tolerant with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Narrow-leaved Lacebark
Hoheria angustifolia
Narrow-leaved Lacebark is resilient with notable attractive form; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Mountain Ribbonwood
Hoheria glabrata
Mountain Ribbonwood is resilient with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Lacebark
Hoheria lyallii
Lacebark is wind-hardy with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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New Zealand Lacebark
Hoheria populnea
New Zealand Lacebark is resilient with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Long-leaved Lacebark
Hoheria sexstylosa
Long-leaved Lacebark is coastal-tolerant with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Tāwari
Ixerba brexioides
Tāwari is long-lived with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Rewarewa
Knightia excelsa
Rewarewa is bird-attracting with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Pukatea
Laurelia novae-zelandiae
Pukatea is coastal-tolerant with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Kawaka
Libocedrus plumosa
Kawaka is long-lived with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Pōhutukawa
Metrosideros excelsa
Pōhutukawa is resilient with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Northern Rātā
Metrosideros robusta
Northern Rātā is bird-attracting with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Southern Rātā
Metrosideros umbellata
Southern Rātā is long-lived with notable shelter value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Red Beech
Nothofagus fusca
Red Beech is resilient with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Black Beech
Nothofagus solandri
Black Beech is bird-attracting with notable nectar for wildlife; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Black Maire
Nestegis cunninghamii
Black Maire is coastal-tolerant with notable restoration use; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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White Maire
Nestegis lanceolata
White Maire is coastal-tolerant with notable timber value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Coastal Tree Daisy
Olearia solandri
Coastal Tree Daisy is coastal-tolerant with notable evergreen foliage; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Chatham Island Akeake
Olearia traversiorum
Chatham Island Akeake is coastal-tolerant with notable shelter value; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Tawaroa
Beilschmiedia tawaroa
Tawaroa is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Chatham Grass Tree
Dracophyllum arboreum
Chatham Grass Tree is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Kohekohe
Dysoxylum spectabile
Kohekohe is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Pūkākā
Elaeocarpus hookerianus
Pūkākā is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Puka
Griselinia lucida
Puka is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Bog Pine
Halocarpus bidwillii
Bog Pine is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Monoao
Halocarpus kirkii
Monoao is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Coastal Kowhai
Sophora chathamica
Coastal Kowhai is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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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.
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Karaka
Corynocarpus laevigatus
Corynocarpus Laevigatus is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Hinau
Elaeocarpus dentatus
Elaeocarpus Dentatus is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Mountain Beech
Fuscospora solandri
Fuscospora solandri is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Hard Beech
Fuscospora truncata
Fuscospora truncata is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Silver Beech
Lophozonia menziesii
Lophozonia menziesii is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Kaikōmako
Pennantia corymbosa
Pennantia corymbosa is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Kawakawa
Piper excelsum
Piper excelsum is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Hall's Totara
Podocarpus hallii
Podocarpus Hallii is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Mountain Totara
Podocarpus laetus
Podocarpus Laetus is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Alpine Totara
Podocarpus nivalis
Podocarpus Nivalis is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Patē
Schefflera digitata
Schefflera Digitata is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Small-leaved Kōwhai
Sophora microphylla
Sophora Microphylla is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Tūrepo
Streblus heterophyllus
Streblus Heterophyllus is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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Kāmahi
Weinmannia racemosa
Weinmannia Racemosa is a native New Zealand plant with notable features; well suited to New Zealand plantings.
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