A collection of New Zealand's native trees. Explore their habitats, cultural importance and ecological role.
Tītoki is a small to medium-sized tree that grows up to 15-20 meters tall.
Tōtara trees can grow up to 25-30 metres in height and have a straight trunk with evergreen foliage.
Toetoe has long, slender leaves that form large tufts or clumps. The leaves are green in colour and have a distinctive arching shape.
Ti Kouka, also known as Cordyline australis or the cabbage tree, is a distinctive tree-like plant native to New Zealand. It can reach a height of 10-20 meters and has a slender trunk.
The Silver Beech is a tall tree that can reach heights of up to 30 meters. It has smooth, silver-grey bark that gives it its distinctive name.
Tawa trees can grow up to 35 metres tall. The tree species have grey, smooth bark and a straight trunk. The leaves are glossy and broad with a unique yellow-green colour.
Tarata is a smaller-sized native tree that grows up to 10 metres tall. The trunk is narrow and has a dense bracket crown. The leaves are glossy, dark and leathery with a light green midrib.
Rewarewa is a large tree species that can grow up to 30 meters tall. It has distinctive, oblong leaves that are up to 20 cm long.
Rimu grows up to 50 metres and has a straight trunk with a dense conical crown shape. It is an evergreen with needle-like leaves that produce small flowers and fruit.
The red or southern beech is a large evergreen tree that can reach heights of 25-35m. The bark is smooth and greyish-brown, while the leaves are glossy and dark green, with a slightly serrated margin.
Raupō is a native wetland plant and is a tall and robust perennial herb that grows in dense clusters along the edges of lakes, ponds, swamps, and other freshwater habitats.
Rangiora is a shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. It can grow up to 3-4 meters in height. The leaves are large, broad, and deeply lobed, with a velvety texture and a greyish-green colour.
Putaputawētā, also known as the marbleleaf, is a small tree or shrub native to New Zealand. It typically grows up to 4-6 meters in height.
Pūriri is a large evergreen tree that can grow up to 20m tall. It has a broad crown with glossy, dark green leaves that are leathery and thick. The bark is thick and corky, with deep ridges.
Pohutukawa is an iconic native tree known for its beautiful bright red flowers that bloom over summer. The trees grow to around 10-20m in height. The trunk is usually gnarled and knobby.
Puka is a smaller-sized native evergreen tree that grows up to 10-12 metres tall. The tree has a slender and straight trunk with a dense crown.
Mountain Beech is a medium-sized tree that can grow up to 25 metres in height, with a trunk diameter of up to 1m. It has a dense canopy and dark green leaves that turn golden-yellow in autumn.
Rātā and associated species can grow up to 20-25 metres tall with a trunk diameter of 2 metres. Rātā bark is rough and dark and has dark, glossy leaves.
Ngaio is a smaller native evergreen tree that can grow up to 15 meters tall with a trunk diameter of up to 50 cm.
Nīkau Palm is a palm tree species native to New Zealand. It is the only palm species naturally occurring in the country. Nīkau palms can reach heights of 10-15 meters.
Miro trees are evergreen coniferous species that can grow between 20-35 metres. Their trunk diameter is around 1-2 metres.
Matai is a large evergreen coniferous tree that can grow up to 30 meters tall. It has a straight trunk with a dense crown of dark green.
Mānuka is a shrub or small tree species that can grow up to 4-5 meters tall. It has small, narrow leaves prickly to the touch and flowers, usually white or pink.
Matagouri is a hardy and spiny plant that typically grows in dry, rocky, and exposed habitats. Matagouri has a distinctive appearance with tangled, wiry branches covered in small, sharp thorns.
Kowhai is a smaller-sized native tree that grows up to 10m tall. It has smooth bark with green, angled twigs. The leaves are bright green and fern-like, with several leaflets attached to the stem.
Mahoe is a smaller-sized true that can grow up to 10-15m tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 60 cm. The tree has a slender and upright posture, with a smooth grey bark that can become flaky.
Kawakawa typically grows up to 5-10 meters in height. The leaves are heart-shaped, glossy, and have distinct holes or perforations caused by insect feeding.
Kōtukutuku can grow up to 12 meters in height and has a distinctive flaky bark. The leaves are oval-shaped, with serrated edges, and have a dark green colour.
Kauri is coniferous that can grow to around 50-60 metres in height with a trunk diameter of 4-5 metres. The tree has a straight trunk and smooth bark with a distinctive branching pattern.
Karaka is a medium-sized species that can grow up to 20 metres tall. The tree has large, dark, glossy leaves growing up to 25cm long. The tree produces orange-yellow fruit that contains a single seed.
Karo is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree or shrub native to New Zealand. It can grow up to 10-15 meters in height. The leaves are thick, glossy, and have wavy margins.
Karamu is a shrub or small tree native to New Zealand. It can grow up to 8 meters in height with a spread of 2-3 meters.
Kāpuka is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree or shrub native to New Zealand. It can grow up to 10-15 meters in height. The leaves are leathery, oval-shaped, and have a glossy, dark green colour.
Kaponga typically grows up to 4-8 meters in height, with a distinctive trunk covered in rough, fibrous scales. The fronds are large, feathery, and arching.
Kanuka is a medium-sized native tree that can grow up to 25 metres tall. It has a slender trunk with rough and flakey bark that can peel off in papery strips.
Kahikatea is a coniferous tree that can grow up to 60 metres tall. It has a slender trunk and branches, and its bark is smooth and greyish-white.
Horoeka can grow up to 10 meters tall, but it is usually much smaller. The tree has a slender trunk that is green and smooth when young, but becomes woody and barky with age.
Flax is a versatile and distinctive plant with long, sword-like leaves that can reach up to 3 meters in length.
Houhere, also known as the Lacebark tree, is a smaller-sized native tree that can grow up to 10-12 meters in height. It has a slender trunk and a dense, round crown with many thin branches.