New Zeland

For this question here, there are a few answers...

This is related to the geographical location of NZ. You can roughly say that NZ is splitted into 4 different zones: The tropical zone, the temperate zone and the sub-Antartica zone and the alpine zone.

Within the tropical zone, the most predominant and special flora in the forest is definitely--- the King of the Forest- Kauri Tree (Agathis australis). This tree can only be found north of Taupo to Northern part of NZ. It is a very unique tree that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The crown of the tree is sooooooooo huge. Actually, if you want to see the Kauri forest-- You can follow the Twin Coast Discovery Route from Auckland West Coast via Dargaville and Waipoua to Kaikohe. There is a well developed tourist attraction of that fattest Kauri tree along State Highway 12. If you are going there, please stop by Dargaville Museum-- the tour guide will told you the difference between swamp Kauri and the normal Kauri and how the Kauri Gum were harvested during the early European settlements in 1860s...

Why Kauri Tree? This is because Kauri only grows in the crest of the hill. The acidic soil (because of nutrient leaching) is the most favourable condition for Kauri tree to grow. Hence, most of the soil layer underneath the Kauri tree is red and yellow because of serious leaching. Kauri Tree young plants are usually dispersed further away from their parents to enhance their growth as Kauri Tree can live up to 1000 years.

In the temperate zone -- ie. south of Taupo to around Christchurch, are consisted of mixture of broadleaf forest and other types of plants. This include pockets of Tanekaha, Rimu, Totara and Northern Rata forests. The understory is full of different types of tree ferns. (just beware that tree ferns pollen can cause allergy to some people). For some of the wetter places in the temperate zone, tree fern forest is the more prominent feature. Rata group is an interesting plant as they can be found all over the South Pacific through wind pollination-- it even reaches Hawaii Island and conquer it!!!

In the more sub-Antarctica zone, i.e. over the Sub-Antarctica islands, and south of Christchurch, shrubs are the more common plants found. (Personally, I am not too familiar with this group of plants).. However, I can tell that those silver and black beech forest in the Southern South Island have much more epiphytes when compared to the forest in the Northern part of South Island

The Alpine plants can be found in the alpine zone (i.e. West Coast of South Island) with distinct tree line. Red beeches can be found in the Tongariro National Park in the middle of the volcanic Plateau in North Island. Cushion plants and tussocks are also easier to found. There is a even more distinct zonation between the apline zone. Why are the cushion plants, shrublands found there? this is because the dessication, strong wind chill there means that plant need to develop a specific system to hold their water. -- Most of the New Zealand beautiful native orchids are found within the alpine zone.

Hence, if you are a good tramper, go for a hike in NZ apline area i.e. Southland and Tongariro National Park. You will not be disappointed!!

2006-12-11 18:39:32 補充：
Just one more thing... although I have splitted NZ into 4 different climatic zone for plant growth, however, these four zones kind of intermingled together in their transitional zone. This makes it really difficult to draw a distinct line about the zones.....

2006-12-12 03:46:03 補充：
Most of the NZ's parrots i.e. Kea, Kaka, Kakapo etc. can be found within the alpine and sub Antarctica zone. This is because those beech forest in the south have a very good honey dew supply for the birds to raise their young.