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New Zealand Flora — Lush and Diverse

  Tane Mahuta, Northland - click for more.
Tane Mahuta, the largest Kauri tree in New Zealand, dominates Northland’s Waipoua Forest.
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New Zealand’s high rainfall and many sunshine hours give the country a lush and diverse flora — with 80 percent of the trees, ferns, and flowering plants being native. From the kauri forests of the far north to the mountain beech forests and alpine tussock of the Southern Alps, you’ll find fascinating plants and trees in every region. You’ll be awed by the majestic evergreen native forests that include rimu, totara, many varieties of beech, and the largest native tree of them all, the giant kauri. Underneath the trees you’ll find a dense and luxurious undergrowth including countless native shrubs, a variety of ferns, and many mosses and lichens.

Splashes of Colour

The yellow flowers of the kowhai tree are some of the prettiest you’ll ever see, and if you visit the North Island, you won’t be far from the beautiful pohutukawa tree. Its bright red flowers bloom in December, giving it the title of New Zealand’s Christmas tree.

 

FAST FACT:

New Zealand’s most famous tree is a kauri called Tane Mahuta. Named after the Maori god of the forests, Tane Mahuta stands over 51 metres high, has a girth of over 13 metres, and is believed to be over 2000 years old.

National Parks

Over 20 percent of New Zealand is covered in national parks, forest areas and reserves. Our 14 national parks contain an incredible variety of unspoiled landscape and vegetation. Administered and maintained by the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai, these parks provide opportunity for a wide variety of activities including hiking, mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding, kayaking and trout fishing. Most national parks have excellent hiking tracks and camping facilities, including nearly 1000 huts throughout the country. You’ll also find information centres at these parks, and helpful signage along the tracks.

The Catlins Nugget Point Otago Peninsula Taiaroa Head Moeraki Oamaru Akaroa Harbour Knights Point Gillespies Beach Whataroa Okarito Port Elizabeth Barrytown Cape Foulwind Kaikoura Kaikoura Peninsula Ohau Point Marlbourough Sounds Nelson Farewell Spit Cape Palliser Turakirae Head Red Rocks Coastal Walk Kapiti Island Cape Kidnappers Sugarloaf Island Whakatane Tiritiri Matangi Island Muriwai Beach Bay of Islands Te Awaatu Channel MR Piopiotahi MR Tonga Island MR Westhaven MR Long Island MR Kapiti Island MR Mayor Island MR Te Whanganui-A-Hei MR Hauraki Gulf Motu Manawa MR Long Bay MR Cape Rodney MR Bay of Islands and Historic MR Catlins NP Fiordland NP, Mt Aspiring NP, Westland NP Cragieburn FP Paparoa NP Arthurs Pass NP Victoria FP, Hanme FP, Lake Summer FP Nelson Lakes NP Mt Richmond FP Kahurangi NP, Abel tasman NP Haurangi FP Rimutaka FP, Tararua FP Egmont NP Wanganui NP Tongariro NP Kaimanawa FP, Kaweka FP, Ruahine FP Pureora FP Raukumura FP Pirongia FP Kaimai-Mamaku FP Northland FP Whirinaki FP Urewera NP

World Heritage Areas

The New Zealand mainland has two World Heritage Areas — Tongariro in the Central North Island and Te Wahipounamu in the south-west of the South Island. Te Wahipounamu is made up of four national parks — Westland/Tai Poutini, Mount Aspiring, Aoraki/Mount Cook and Fiordland. The area also contains the Milford and Routeburn tracks, two of New Zealand’s most spectacular walks, as well as Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, and spectacular glaciers. Tongariro is situated on the North Island’s volcanic plateau, and contains the active volcanoes Mount Tongariro, Ruapehu, and the cone-shaped Ngauruhoe. The area is of special cultural significance to Maori, and also contains Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake.

Scenic Waterfall - click for more.
A scenic waterfall in one of New Zealand’s many national parks and reserves.
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Related Links
www.newzealand.com Pages
•  Park & Reserve Highlights
Perfect spots to enjoy a picnic lunch
•  National Parks
More about other National Parks...
Other Sites
•  wwww.projectcrimson.org.nz
Project Crimson - Pohutukawa and Rata Conservation
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