Whether you have a large or small garden at home, invite birds over with native plants that provide a year round supply of food and shelter. Tūi's favourite nectar source for instance is the highly attractive Kowhai. 

A small garden can still attract birds, especially over winter and spring when Tūī, bellbird and Kererū (native wood pigeon) will travel considerable distances in search of flowers and fruit. So while your garden may not be large enough for some species to nest and breed they may still use it as a seasonal feeding ground.

We also recognise that its not just wildlife that have benefited from our native flora - NZ natives have been key to the early establishment of New Zealand, from being used by Maori for medicinal purposes (Kawakawa, Horopito, Koromiko, Poroporo, Pukatea, Houhere, harakeke, Kowhai), they were a key resource for early transport such as waka's to ship masts (Tōtara and Kauri) through to providing the key materials for many of our early houses (Rimu, Tōtara, Kauri, Mati, Tawa). However the combination of depleting species such as Kauri, and large scale planting in 1920's & 30's of large production forests of mainly radiata pine saw a move away in the 1950's to pine as the go to timber. 

So there's a lot of reasons to restore the local habitat with planting natives in your garden. After all 85% of NZ natives are found nowhere else in the world.

Do however remember some NZ natives look very different when they are in the juvenile stage compared to when they are adults (species that are like this include Ribbonwood, Matai, Lancewood, Kaikomako, Kahikatea, and Northern Rata), something to factor in when selecting plants to add to your garden.

The following links provides some great advice to helping establish a healthy backyard habitat:  https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-in...          https://www.tawapou.co.nz/abou...