Kohekohe is a coastal tree found in the warmer parts of New Zealand, reaching its southern limit at the top of the South Island. Its large, glossy, pinnate leaves give it a lush, tropical appearance, earning it the nickname “tropical outlier.” Waxy white flowers appear in May and June, growing directly from the trunk and branches, a trait known as cauliflory, common in tropical rainforests. The seed capsules take about a year to ripen, then split open to reveal three seeds with bright red fleshy coatings, which are eaten by birds. Kohekohe is a valuable food source for native species such as kererū, kōkako, tūī, and korimako/bellbird, who feed on the fruit and nectar. Kohekohe is a long-term canopy tree and grow as tall as 15metres.

Karaka is a striking coastal canopy tree with glossy, leathery leaves. It flowers from late winter to spring, producing small greenish flowers in clusters. Its large, fleshy orange fruit ripens from mid-summer to autumn and is an important food source for kererū, which help disperse its seeds. While the fruit flesh is edible and was eaten raw, the kernels are highly toxic unless carefully processed by steaming or soaking to remove poison, a vital practice for Māori, who valued karaka kernels as an important food source second only to kumara. Karaka groves were often planted near pā sites. The fruit is nutritious, containing sugars, fatty acids, and essential amino acids, and the treated kernels resemble oatmeal in food value. Māori also used karaka leaves for wound dressings and its timber for canoe paddles. Karaka is one of the few native trees traditionally cultivated by Māori.

Pūriri is a large, spreading canopy tree growing up to 20 metres, naturally found in the warmer northern parts of the North Island. Its glossy green leaves have five leaflets, and it often flowers and fruits year-round, providing nectar-rich pink flowers and bright red berries that are valuable food sources for birds. Māori used pūriri leaves for medicinal purposes and its strong, durable timber for tools and weapons. Heavily logged by early settlers, pūriri was prized for fence posts, railway sleepers, and furniture.

When Tiritiri Matangi was cleared and burned for farming, many of the island’s original large tree species were reduced to just one or two surviving individuals. A lone pūriri on the Kawerau Track, once used as a bird hide, became known to students and researchers as The Hide Tree. While iconic, this tree’s seeds were not viable for propagation, as pūriri requires cross-pollination to produce fertile seed. As a result, most of the pūriri now thriving on the island were grown from seed brought in during the reforestation effort. Early research on korimako/bellbird behaviour was conducted from within this very tree, highlighting its special place in Tiritiri’s conservation history.

Taraire, a member of the laurel family (Lauraceae). Naturally found only in the northern third of the North Island, taraire reflects its subtropical roots. Mature trees can reach over 20 metres, with thick, leathery leaves dark green on top and grey-blue underneath. From September to December, small green flowers bloom in tight clusters, followed in late summer by large, plum-like fruit up to 4 cm long, an important food source for kererū. Māori traditionally ate the fruit flesh and specially prepared kernels, which were steamed or roasted. Taraire belongs to the same plant family as avocado, cinnamon, and bay laurel.