Posted on 25th May, 2019


Initially the programme was set up to help re-establish young Pohutukawa trees along our coastline. Now it’s evolved to providing habitat and food for our native birds, bringing the lovely bird song into urban areas.

If you want some free native plants, the Pohutukawa Coast Programme is for you. Whether you live in a rural area, or are a city dweller, play your part in creating a more diverse natural environment. Plant your free plants and be part of this popular programme.

After 28 years, this plant giveaway is more popular than ever, so you need to be quick. The 3860 plants we are giving away each year will go fast. In 2017 the plants in our central distribution point (Botanica) went in a few days.

Whangarei District Council Parks and Recreation Manager Sue Hodge said this will bring the total number of trees distributed since the project began to 69,900. The young plants are especially grown by Tawapou Coastal Natives at Tutukaka. The mix of native trees and shrubs are suitable for coastal locations, rural or urban properties, wetlands and hedges.

There is a limit of two plants per ratepayer or Whangarei District resident to ensure they are distributed evenly. If you represent a large community group, you can leave your contact details and if plants remain at the completion of the programme then more plants can be made available to you.

Whangarei District Council Parks and Recreation Department and the Northern Branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Society will assist with the distribution of the trees and shrubs, as they have done in the past. The programmes plant distributors are all knowledgeable and helpful, and will be happy to assist you selecting the right plant for your situation.

If you would like to take part in this exciting project, please contact one of the distributors listed below and arrange to pick up your free trees. Plants are available from the 10th June.Please do not contact our distributors prior to this date.

  • City dwellers and people living in the north of the district should drop in to Botanica in First Ave between 10am and 4pm, 7 days.
  • Tutukaka Coast residents may pick up trees from Tawapou Coastal Natives (Check Open Hours) Phone 434 3971
  • Southern residents may pick up trees from Robbie Jones. Phone 432 7329
  • People living to the north-east and in Whangarei Heads can pick them up from Alan Willis and Rona Mahy-Willis. Phone 436 2808

Whangarei District Council would once again like to thank everyone who has made this year’s Pohutukawa, Coast Programme possible. Special recognition goes to the volunteer distributors who provide this valuable service for the community year after year.