Wonderful, unique forests of New Zealand
The native forests of New Zealand are among the closest living relatives of the ancient forests of Gondwana. The ancestry of some tree species such as kauri, kahikatea and southern beech has been traced back without discontinuity to the Jurassic period, 100 million or more years ago. These forests remain the favourite home of several animal species of equally ancient lineage. The beauty, unique character, and significance of these forests will always inspire those who visit them. Throughout the country, many short walks are available for this purpose.

Kauri Forests
The kauri forests are restricted to the warmest parts of the country, north of the line Kawhia-Opotiki. They usually include many other tree species, podocarps and hardwoods. In their undisturbed state they are luxuriant, dense, rich in undergrowth, ferns and tree-ferns, lianas and epiphytes. They can present a distinctively tropical character.

Podocarp and Hardwood Forests
The podocarp-hardwood forests are found throughout the country, especially in lowland areas. Like the kauri forests they are luxuriant and often present a distinctively tropical character, their dense undergrowth including a profusion of shrubs, ferns, tree-ferns, lianas and epiphytes.

Beech Forests
The four species of beech are better adapted to colder areas. Beech progressively replace podocarp-hardwood species as altitude increases, in all but the northernmost parts of New Zealand. These forests occupy vast areas of the mountainous axis of the South Island. They are usually less luxuriant than the podocarp and broadleaf forests, with a fairly open understory.

Coastal Forests
The mild climates near the coasts favour the growth of a number of species of trees and can result in the establishment of forests that can be markedly different from the more common podocarp - broadleaf forests. Coastal forests are best developed along the coasts of Northland and outlying islands. There the dominant species is pohutukawa, which in summer is also the most spectacular with its bright red flowers. Other major species include pururi, karaka, kohekohe, and taraire. Nikau palms can be common and even form nearly pure groves in shaded valleys, adding a distinct tropical touch to the forest's character. This is especially well represented in the forests of the north-west coast of the South Island, from Punakaiki to Karamea and beyond.