Northern rātā

Northern rātā is a massive tree, easily distinguished from other Metrosideros species by its small, leathery, dark green leaves that are 2–4 cm (0.79–1.57 in) long, and have a distinct notch at the tip. Young growth is generally pink and covered in fine rust-coloured hairs that are gradually shed as the foliage ages but tend to persist at the midrib and in the vicinity of the leaf base. The flowers, borne in sprays on the tips of branches, are a mass of dark scarlet stamens. Flowering peaks between November and January, and seeds take a year or slightly more to ripen. The bark is usually brown or grey-brown and rather corky and provides an ideal stratum for the roots of epiphytic plants such as Astelia species and Freycinetia banksii (kiekie). The wood is reddish brown, and the manner of its growth results in a twisted grain.

Northern rātā is found in the North Island from Te Paki in the north to Wellington in the south. Formerly widespread, it is now uncommon over large parts of its former range, and is apparently absent from all but the south-east of Hawke's Bay. In the South Island, northern rātā is common from Nelson to Greymouth and Hokitika. It reaches its southern limit near Lake Mahinapua at 42°4′ South latitude. The natural habitat is forest along the coasts and in the lowlands. In some parts of its range northern rātā occurs in montane forest. Formerly, with rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum) it was a dominant tree in a forest type known as rimu/rātā forest. In 2024 an unusual 105 feet (32 meters) tall northern rātā near Karamea on the west coast of South Island, nicknamed the "walking tree" because of its pair of leg-like trunks resembling legs walking across a field, won the New Zealand Arboricultural Association's (NZ Arb)'s Tree of the Year Award with 42% of the public vote.

Northern rātā may be propagated readily from fresh seed. Viability of the seed drops quickly after a few weeks or if it is allowed to dry out. Cuttings do not strike readily, but better results can be obtained from using water shoots. At least three cultivars of northern rātā have been released. There are also known cultivars of hybrids between northern rātā and pōhutukawa (known as Metrosideros ×sub-tomentosa), and between northern rātā and southern rātā. Known cultivars include:

∞ Hybrid of northern rātā and southern rātā ¤ Hybrid of northern rātā and pōhutukawa