Laurelia novae-zelandiae, also called pukatea, is a large evergreen tree, endemic to the forests of New Zealand.

It requires a temperate to warm subtropical climate, but also a frost-free environment with only very slight winter frosts not below 24.8 °F (−4 °C), and with high summer heat.

L. novae-zelandiae has specialized respiratory root structures called pneumatophores in certain waterlogged ground or mud.

Its dark green, glossy, elliptical leaves are 2–3 inches (5–7 cm) long and have coarsely serrated edges and paler undersides.

Juvenile leaves and stems can be difficult to distinguish from another native tree hutu, to which it is only distantly related.

The fruit are little pear-shaped capsules which contain numerous achenes attached to fine feathery strands which aid their dispersal by the wind.