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Story: Ecoregions

Rātā

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Rātā

Southern rātā (Metrosideros umbellata) dominates the low-growing forest on the Auckland Islands. These are the most southerly forests in New Zealand. Rātā grows on the sheltered sides of the islands in a narrow coastal strip extending to around 50 metres above sea level. As you go higher, this gives way to scrub, tussock grassland, herbfields and tundra.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10060056

by Andrew Maloney

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How to cite this page

Matt McGlone, Ecoregions – The southern islands, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/12597/rata (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Matt McGlone, published 1 March 2009.