Native Forests

Native Forest 1000 AD

When people first arrived in New Zealand over 80% of the land was covered in native forest – and the 20% that wasn’t covered was mostly mountain tops. Now there is only about 23% of New Zealand covered with native vegetation.

New Zealand’s native forest is very important, not only for the animals living there, but for people too.

The remaining forests in New Zealand are probably the closest living example of the type of forest that would have covered Gondwana about 80 million years ago. (Learn about Gondwana)

There are different types of forest in New Zealand. They are distinguished by their location and the types of plants that grow there…

Coastal - There is very little coastal forest left in New Zealand, mostly due to development along the coast, eg. farming and the building of housing and ports.

The trees and other plants that make up coastal forests are able to withstand strong winds, salt-water spray and storms. Their leaves either have a furry or a waxy coating to protect them from salt and water loss, eg. pohutukawa has furry leaves and taupata has waxy leaves.

Wetland - The trees that grow in the wetland or swamp forests like to have wet feet. Wetland forests are found at the edge of fresh water, near lakes and rivers and in flood plains (low-lying land).

Some trees that grow in wetland forests are pukatea, kahikatea and cabbage trees (ti kouka). Other plants found in wetland forests are flax, toetoe, raupo, rushes and sedges.

Broadleaf/podocarp Forest

Lowland - Lowland forests extend from the coastal forests to around 500m (above sea level) in the North Island, and 300m in the South Island.

Lowland forests have high conservation value because their soils and climates support a high diversity of native animals and plants (fauna and flora).

Most of New Zealand’s lowland forests were cleared for farming when people arrived in New Zealand. The loss of lowland forest causes native plants and animals to become extinct. It is important to protect the remaining lowland forest from logging and development.

Lowland forests can be found in some parts of the Central North Island, Taranaki, Coromandel, Northland and in Southland. The largest lowland forest is on the West Coast of the South Island.

Temperature and rainfall changes what grows in lowland forests around New Zealand, for example, in the far north kauri and kumarahou are found in lowland forests because they need warmer climates, whereas beech trees can be found in lowland forests with colder climates.

There are two main types of lowland forests in New Zealand, podocarp/broadleaf and beech. Learn more about Native Lowland Forests

Beech forest

Alpine - Alpine forests are found at high altitudes – above about 500m (above sea level) in the North Island and 300m in the South Island.

The trees and other plants that grow in alpine forests are adapted to survive the cold. Trees growing in alpine areas will not often grow as tall as the same species would grow in a lowland forest because of the colder climate and wind.

What’s so important about native forests?

New Zealand native forests need to be protected and looked after, they are important for lots of reasons…

Home / Habitat – Forests are home to HEAPS of native species – both plants and animals. The loss of native New Zealand forests would mean the loss of native species. One of the main causes of species extinction is the lack of habitat (places to live). Birds would lose their nesting places and small plants would lose the protection of the forest to grow in.

Food – There is lots of food for the animals in the forest - leaves, nectar and berries from the trees. And some of the smaller animals, like the insects that live in the forest, are food for the bigger animals, like the birds.

Water cycle – Forests are part of the water cycle. They cycle water between the soil and the atmosphere, which regulates rainfall in the region.

Forest habitat

Erosion – Forests protect the soil from erosion and reduce flooding. Trees soak up rain and it is collected in the forest floor, which is thick with dead leaves. This protects the soil from heavy rainfall and reduces the likelihood of erosion. The rain water is released slowly from the forest, which reduces flooding.

Global warming – Forests are made up with trees, and trees absorb carbon dioxide – an important process for getting rid of ‘greenhouse’ gases, which are polluting the earth’s atmosphere. Trees also produce oxygen, and all living creatures need oxygen, so we need trees!

Recreation - Forests are wonderful places for us to enjoy nature, they are peaceful and beautiful and we can see native birds and other native wildlife.

Tourism - Natural areas are visited by thousands of tourists each year. Natural areas, including forests, are important to local businesses, and the national economy.

Threats to the Forest!

People are a BIG threat to the forest! People have chopped down and burnt heaps of forest for hunting, villages, farming, forestry and building. Maori settlers in New Zealand cleared land for hunting, gardens and pas. When Europeans arrived in New Zealand around 50% of the forests had been cleared, or dramatically changed. The European settlers continued to clear forests for new settlements, building and farming land.

The remaining forest needs to be protected!

People also introduced animals to New Zealand that have become pests in the forest, such as possums, goats, pigs and deer. These animals trample the forest, eat new saplings (which means new trees don't grow) and eat the leaves of growing trees.

People brought many plants to New Zealand that escaped into the forests and became weeds. These plant pests either smother trees (eg. old man's beard, Clematis vitalba), or they carpet the ground, stopping new native plants from growing (eg. wandering willie, Tradescantia).

Conservation of New Zealand's Native Forests

There are a number of organisations in New Zealand that work to protect native forests. You can contact these groups to learn more about their work and the protection of New Zealand's native forests.

Forest and Bird... is New Zealand's largest conservation organisation. Forest and Bird has worked, since it began in 1923, for the protection of native forests.

Native Forest Action... is an activist group that has lobbied the government for the protection of native forest, specifically the West Coast beech and rimu forests.

ECO... is the Environmental and Conservation Organisations of NZ. New Zealand's network of groups that share a concern for the environment.

There is also the Department of Conservation, a government department... they are responsible for the care of approximately 30% of New Zealand land and forests, including national parks, nature reserves and forest parks.

You Can Help Too!

When you visit a native forest be sure to keep all of your rubbish with you, and if you are in a protected area, like a national park, remember to take only memories and leave only footprints.
Do not wander from the paths in the forest, because you may crush new plants growing under the bigger trees, and you could get lost.

Plant trees to grow a forest!

You can get involved with a local group to remove weeds and plant more trees to create new forests. To find out what KCC and Forest and Bird groups are doing in your area click here.