Nikau belt
Wilton, Wadestown, Crofton Downs, Ngaio, Khandallah, Broadmeadows, Raroa, Korokoro, Maungaraki, Greenacres, Elsdon, Nikau Valley, Hemi Matenga, and Kaitawa.
Environmental Factors: Atemperate climate with year-round soil moisture and high humidity. Mostly frost-free and lacking in extreme conditions.
Past Landscape: Once dominated by tawa, now dominated by kohekohe, with nikau reflecting the mild conditions.
Plants we recommend
"Heritage" trees
Kahikatea, matai, miro, rimu, totara
Trees
Big (b) = >15m Medium (m) = 10-15m Small (s) <10m
Tawa (b), kohekohe (b), titoki (b), rewarewa (b), nikau palm (m), tree fuchsia (m), five-finger (m), wineberry (s), marbleleaf (S), kaikomako (m), mahoe (m), toro (s), wharangi (s), ngaio (m), large-leaved milk tree (b), small-leaved milk tree (b).
Shrubs
NZ gloxinia, mountain alseuosmia, kawakawa, hangehange, poataniwha, glossy tree daisy.
Climbers (c) and scramblers (s)
NZ passionfruit (c),scarlet rata (s),small white clematis (c),clinging rata (c), white clematis (c)
Ferns, including tree ferns (tf)
Black tree fern, soft tree fern, hen and chickens fern, lance fern, gully fern.
Grasses (g), sedges (s) and rushes (r)
Toetoe: both spring- and summer-flowering species (g).
Look for these symbols in the main list for more plants to plant in this zone: Os, Ps, Af, Fh, Co.
Did you know?
New Zealand's only palm tree, nikau, is the southernmost palm in the world. Its prolific clusters of scarlet fruit are an important source of food for birds. Nikau grow best when they get plenty of light. Plant them at the bush margin or under a break in the canopy.