It's looking to be a bumper year for New Zealand's Christmas tree as experts predict a warmer summer.
Pōhutukawa are already beginning to blossom around Auckland, well ahead of the Christmas peak.
Aucklanders love the trees, calling them "beautiful", "vibrant", and "exotic."
They're a popular choice for gardeners, especially the Tahitian pōhutukawa, due to their small stature.
The tree is also sacred for Māori, symbolising the beginning and end of human life.
This year looks like they'll bloom better than ever.
"If you have a cold winter with some frost that will nip in the bud literally speaking, the little flower buds that are formed over winter time," Land Care research botanist Murray Dawson explained.
But that hasn't happened this year.
"Reason being warmer temperatures and a more controlled climate," Ben Adams from Palmers Remuera said.
They bring a lot of colour and festive cheer in what's set to be in greater abundance this year.
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