Tawa, kohekohe, rewarewa, hīnau, podocarp forest ecosystem (WF13)

Warm forest ecosystem

Threat status
Vulnerable

About this ecosystem

This broadleaved–podocarp forest ecosystem occurs across a wide geographic area, in warm to humid climates and on a range of moderately fertile soils.

In Auckland, examples of this ecosystem can be found in:

  • Hunua Ranges
  • Waitākere
  • Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island.
Looking up at the underside of tall canopy trees.
Underside of tawa, kohekohe, rewarewa, hinau podocarp canopy trees.
Photo credit: Jason Hosking

Flora and fauna in this ecosystem

The most abundant canopy species in this ecosystem include:

  • tawa, a tree with long thin leaves and long thin purple berries
  • kohekohe, a tree with large glossy leaves, white flowers and red fruit.

This forest supports a diverse range of species such as:

  • tūī
  • kererū 
  • kārearea (New Zealand falcon, in the Hunua Ranges)
  • ruru (morepork)
  • pekapeka-tou-roa (long tailed bat)
  • pepeketua (Hochstetter's frog).

Kōkako are now thriving in the extensive forests of the Hunua Ranges following effective predator control.

Forest understorey with mixture of tall trees and low lying plants.
Tawa, kohekohe, rewarewa, hinau podocarp understorey in the Hunua Ranges.
Photo credit: Jason Hosking

Threats to this ecosystem

This ecosystem is currently has a threat category of vulnerable. 

Pest animals are a significant threat to this ecosystem, with possums, rats and goats causing the decline in palatable flora  and vulnerable fauna. In some instances the impacts of browse caused by possums and goats at a site can cause canopy collapse. This can lead to regeneration failure for a number of flora species in this ecosystem.