Pittosporum patulum is a plant species endemic to the South Island of New Zealand where it has a restricted distribution ranging from Nelson in the north with occurrences in inland Marlborough down to Wānaka in the south.

It is unusual amongst the genus in having deep red and scented flowers.

[3] It is a small tree restricted to sub-alpine sites in canopy gaps in Nothofagus forest and in scree.

It is uncommon and may be threatened by grazing and by alien herbivores.

[2] In 1999, a recovery plan was approved by the Director-General of the Department of Conservation.