As the area warmed, much of the podocarp forest was displaced by Myrtaceae such as pōhutukawa and Ascarina lucida. Prior to human settlement, much of the isthmus was covered in broadleaf tree forests, predominantly Beilschmiedia tarairi (taraire) and Vitex lucens (pūriri) trees.
As the area warmed, much of the podocarp forest was replaced by Myrtaceae such as pōhutukawa and Ascarina lucida. Before human settlement, a large portion of the isthmus was covered in broadleaf tree forests, predominantly Beilschmiedia tarairi (taraire) and Vitex lucens (pūriri) trees.