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Story: Shrublands

Tussock–shrublands, Kahurangi National Park

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Tussock–shrublands, Kahurangi National Park

On parts of the Gouland Downs in north-west Nelson, the soils are so shallow, poorly drained and infertile that they do not support tree growth. Instead, red tussock and wire rush dominate along with inaka shrubs. These areas show as brown patches among the beech forest.

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Shrublands – Heathlands, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/14542/tussock-shrublands-kahurangi-national-park (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 1 March 2009.