Harakeke is found throughout the country, especially in wet areas like Travis Wetlands.

Harakeke is unique to New Zealand and is one of our most ancient species.

It supports a large community of animals including the korimako, tīeke (saddlebacks), pekapeka (short tailed bats), geckos and several types of insects. The birds and insects enjoy nectar from the flax flower.

Harakeke grows up to three metres high and its flowers can reach up to four metres. 

Harakeke was a valuable resource because of its strength. It was used to make clothing, mats, plates, baskets, ropes, bird snares, lashings, fishing lines and nets.

Today harakeke is used in soaps, hand creams, shampoos and a range of cosmetics. Flaxseed oil can also be found for sale.

The kōwhai is one of the best known native trees in New Zealand and it's our unofficial national flower.

They are best known for their yellow flowers that appear in spring. Kōwhai imagery is popular in art works and has been used on postage stamps and coins.

Kōwhai trees can grow up to 25m high. It is found throughout New Zealand in a variety of habitats from forests, coastal cliff faces and inland grey scrub communities.

Tui, bellbird and kererū feast on leaves and flowers - kōwhai are an important seasonal food source for them.

The kōwhai tree was valued for its hard wood and its many medicinal properties.

Elm trees are prominant in parks and private gardens. They can be found all over Aotearoa. Tāmaki Makaurau is estimated to have approximately 30,000 elm trees.

There are about 35 different species of elm trees. Many are grown for their height and attractive foliage.

The hollowed tree trunks were used as water pipes in medieval Europe.

Elms often grow to be 15 to 21 meters tall, but some grow even taller.

People plant elm trees because they grow quickly into trees that give good shade. They are also great for climbing trees.

In the past, people chewed the inner bark of slippery elm and used it as a medicine.

Willow trees are native to northern China, are beautiful and now found throughout North America, Europe, Asia and New Zealand.

The willow tree is easy to recognise and make great climbing trees.

There are more than 400 species of willow trees. Most grow to be between 13 and 22 meters in height, and their width can equal their height.

A number of insects are drawn to willow trees.

Different cultures, in the past, have used the sap of the trees to treat different ailments.

Ngaio plants are fast growing and can grow to the height of 10m. 

The Ngaio grows flowers that are white and purple and is followed by bright red fruit. During summer birds enjoy the flowers and berries.

Ngaio grows well in costal areas of Aotearoa.

Māori people used to rub the leaves over their skin to repel mosquitoes and sandflies.

Ngaio trees are good for climbing.

Totara trees are native to Aotearoa and are common throughout the country. 

The totara tree grows up to be 30 meters tall. You can find the tree acrss the country in lowland and mountain areas, and they can make great climbing trees.

These trees were used to make large waka because the trunks grow straight, were big, light and rot resistant. It is still used as a preferred carving timber.

Female totara trees produce fuit that takes a year to ripen to a red coloured fruit that is edible and quite sweet. The male plants have pollen cones which develop in spring.

The tī kōuka tree is a native tree to New Zealand, but are popular in Europe, Britain and the U.S.

The tī kōuka tree supports several different species including caterpillars and moths. Birds and insects also like to eat the flowers and seeds from the tree.

The tī kōuka tree is a hardy tree and can grow in bare ground or exposed places.

The trunk is fire-resistant so early settlers used it for their huts and even their chimneys.

The leaves from the plant can be used for weaving, made into rope, and can be made into tea to help with diarrhoea.

The tī kōuka tree can be found in open places, wetlands and scrubland all throughout Aotearoa.

The ake ake tree is a fast growing shrub or small tree, with hard wood that is used for making taiaha and other weapons and tools.

It is native to Aotearoa, however it is also found throughout the world.

People have used the roots, leaves and bark as different parts have different healing properties.

The leaves and bark can be used for burns and scalds as it is known to reduce swelling. 

Ake ake grows in costal and lowland forest areas. 

They can grow to be 10 meters tall. It flowers in autumn to spring and produces fruit between November and April. 

The flowers attract different insects.

The norfolk pine is natvie to norfolk island. The wood of large trees is used in construction, furniture and ship building.

The norfolk pine can grow to a height of 60 meters. The branches are arranged in symmetric whorls that make it great for climbing.

These trees are also known by other names such as Christmas tree, triangle tree, star pine and Polynesian pine.

Norfolk pines and been proven to extract harmful substances from the air. 

Five-finger, or whauwhaupaku tree, is one of the most common trees in Aotearoa.

It is fast growing and its leaves consit of five to seven leaflets. They grow to be 3-4 meters tall.

In the winter it produces clusters of purple flowers at the tips of its branches and purple-black berries ripen in summer that birds love.

Kapuka is a flowering tree that is common throughout Aotearoa. They can tolerate the cold and can be found up to 100m above sea level. They can grow up to 20 meters tall.

These trees are often used for making hedges.

This plant produces small flowers that attract native pollinators. The green and yellow flowers are also a good source of pollen for bees in the spring. In autumn they have small purple-black fruit which tuī eat.

The gum tree is a large, fast-growing evergreen that is native it Australia and Tasmania.

The tree can grow to 125-160 meters tall.
Eucalyptus essential oil has been used in Indigenous Australian medicine as an antibacterial and anti-fungal for centuries.

Eucalyptus/gum trees can help manage wastewater issues. The eucalyptus absorbs and filters many elements we don't want in the water used on crops.

The trees make good climbing trees.