Common New Zealand Trees
Here's a list of the six most common New Zealand trees. Trees and ferns have always played a significant role in New Zealand Maori culture and even in modern times have become significant national emblems.
Amongst New Zealand's unique indigenous population of trees are:
Kauri
The most famous of the New Zealand trees, the Kauri, is estimated to reach up to 4,000 years of age. Two individual trees in Northland's Waipoua Kauri Forest have become famous in their own right. Te Matua Ngahere (‘Father of the Forest') has the widest girth of any kiwi tree at 16m and is thought to be 2,000-3,000 years old, whilst Tane Mahuta (‘Lord of the Forest') is the tallest kauri at 51m.
Kowhai
The bright yellow flowers of the Kowhai tree are New Zealand's national flower. No surprise therefore that ‘kowhai' is the Maori word for yellow. Growing to 11m high these trees were used by the Maori to make paddles for their canoes. These days the trees attract more attention from tui birds who are often seen feasting in large numbers on the nectar in the flowers.
Totara
The totara tree holds a significant place in Maori culture. The trunk was used to build Maori war canoes capable of holding over 100 warriors, thanks to its resistance to rotting and straight grain. It was also used extensively in wood carvings. Reaching ages of over 1000 years only the kauri trees are thought to grow older.
Pohutukawa
With bright crimson flowers that appear from November to January the Pohutukawa is known as the Christmas Tree of New Zealand. Best seen in spectacular displays along the coast of the North Island especially along the beaches of the Coromondel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty.
Rata
Like the pohutukawa the rata produces brilliant red flowers from November to January and thrives along the west coast of the South Island. One of the most well-known of New Zealand's trees it is under threat today from possums who continually over-graze on its leaves.
Tree Ferns
Over 80 species of fern are abundantly found throughout New Zealand. The largest is the Black Tree Fern or Mamaku which grows to over 20m in height with fronds of 7m. The most famous is the Silver Fern or Ponga, which is a national symbol and is used widely in tourism publications and on the shirts of national sports teams, most notably the All Blacks.
See Also: Common New Zealand Birds