Native plants of Aotearoa New Zealand
These 19 plants belong to Aotearoa New Zealand. They were here before the gardens were: they know the weather, live on the rain that falls, and feed the insects and birds that grew up alongside them. Plant a few and your yard starts to fit its place.
Signature plant: Kawakawa, native here and in no other world region on this list.
Berries and small fruit (2)
- Kōtukutuku (tree fuchsia) · zones 8–11
- Makomako (wineberry) · zones 8–10
Perennial vegetables, greens and herbs (6)
- Horopito (pepper tree) · zones 8–11
- Kawakawa · zones 9–11
- Pikopiko (hen and chicken fern) · zones 9–11
- Pūhā (native sow thistle) · zones 8–11
- Sea celery (tūtae kōau) · zones 8–11
- Warrigal greens · zones 8–11
Native and wild plants (10)
- Harakeke (New Zealand flax) · zones 8–11
- Hīnau · zones 8–10
- Kahikatea (white pine) · zones 8–10
- Karamū · zones 8–10
- Kiekie · zones 9–11
- Mānuka · zones 7–11
- Nīkau palm · zones 9–11
- Rengarenga (rock lily) · zones 8–11
- Tī kōuka (cabbage tree) · zones 8–11
- Tōtara · zones 8–11
Helper plants for soil, wildlife and biomass (1)
- Kānuka · zones 8–10
Open the natives of Aotearoa New Zealand in the planner
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All regions · Plants by hardiness zone
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home