Podocarpus totara

Podocarpus totara (/ˈtoʊtərə/), commonly known as the tōtara, is a species of podocarp tree endemic to New Zealand. It grows throughout the North Island, South Island and rarely on Stewart Island / Rakiura in lowland, montane and lower subalpine forest at elevations of up to 600 metres (2,000 feet).

Tōtara is commonly found in lowland areas where the soil is fertile and well drained. Its Māori name comes from the Proto-Polynesian word *tootara (related to the word tara lit. 'thorn') which when passed down to descendant languages refer to spiny creatures, especially the porcupinefish (Diodon hystrix) due to its spiky leaves. The spelling "totara" without the tohutō is also common in English.