East Cape to Wairarapa and the Whanganui and Patea Rivers. Naturalised in the Nth and Sth Islands. Small evergreen tree, with twigs, flowers and capsules covered in white hairs. Thick leathery leaves white underneath suited to coastal conditions.

Narrowly conical initially then broadly spreading, deciduous. Small juvenile leaves and vigorous narrow erect habit make it ideal as a nurse tree for more tender plants. NZ wide except the driest coldest parts.

Northern Marlborough westwards and down to South Westland in high altitude forest & shrubland, Juvenile form a cushion-like shrub less than 1m high. Older plants dense upright with orangy-bronze sharp tipped needles.

Broadly conical or spreading when open grown, evergreen. Huge trunks on old trees. Bark peels in long strips. Tiny fruits attract birds. Timber is prized for carving & interior joinery. They coolstore and transplant well.