Plants that got lost in time
About 15% of the total land area of New Zealand is covered with native flora, from tall kauri and kohekohe forests to rainforest dominated by rimu, beech, tawa, matai and rata; ferns and flax; dunelands with their spinifex and pingao; alpine and subalpine herb fields; and scrub and tussock.
New Zealand's total forest resource, covering 29% of the total land area, can be divided into two distinct forest types:
- A large natural forest estate comprised of species indigenous to New Zealand and consisting of either virgin or regenerating forest
- An extensive but smaller forest estate, which has been planted with non-native, coniferous species
New Zealand's 6.4 million hectares of indigenous forest are located mainly in the mountain lands, particularly on the West Coast of the South Island. The major indigenous tree species in these complex forests are beech, kauri, rimu, taraire and tawa. Indigenous forests harbour large numbers of unique wildlife, of which some are classed as endangered or threatened.
Our indigenous forests are a key part of New Zealand's environment and help protect the natural values of our ecosystem. Cultural values encompass recreational, scientific, historic and scenic dimensions. The main threats to these forests are from introduced animals and plants, and an increasing demand for access and recreational opportunities. To learn more visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Fish website.
To find out more about conserving our natural resources visit the department of conservation native plants conservation site.