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Story: Coastal shoreline

Pōhutukawa

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Pōhutukawa

Voted the most popular native plant by New Zealanders, the pōhutukawa tree is a symbol of Christmas, beach holidays and rugged beauty. It grows naturally around northern coasts and inland near the Rotorua lakes. It is also widely cultivated and is often seen in gardens of the lower North Island. In December its crown may be completely covered in bright crimson flowers.

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Coastal shoreline – The rocky coast – upper shore, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/4810/pohutukawa (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 2 March 2009.