New Zealand Collection

Discover New Zealand.

There’s a lot to like about New Zealand’s flora – beyond how gorgeous it looks.

82% of New Zealand's flora is found nowhere else in the world, and there’s a few unusual plant adaptations. But this collection faces big challenges. Melbourne’s climate is significantly hotter and drier than New Zealand’s, making this one of our most difficult plant collections to maintain.

On the upside, plant performance here is helping New Zealand prepare for hotter days ahead by directing their conservation efforts. For New Zealand's First People's, the Māori, plants are part of their belief system, holding value for food, shelter, and medicine.

Connecting to Country

This Collection is on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. As you explore the Gardens you will see four colours and four words in Woi-wurrung language on the signs to reflect the Traditional Owners’ connection to Country and this particular place. The word tanderrum refers to a cultural gathering place in Woi-wurrung and the signs in this area have pink highlights.

Young botanists

Can a fern leaf help you in the dark?

The underside of the silver tree fern’s leaves is silver. Traditionally, Maori people turned the fronds silver-side-up and placed them along their bush tracks to reflect the moonlight, so they could see the way at night! The silver fern (or ponga) is also New Zealand’s national flora emblem. What’s Australia’s?

Inspired to know more about these plants?

Learn more about the horticultural curation of the New Zealand Collection.

Aotearoa New Zealand Collection

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