The purpose of this dissertation is to promote and encourage the use of New Zealand native plants in our urban environment. The basis of the study is comprised of a collection of native plants which in my opinion would prove suitable for public planting by parks departments. I have divided these plants into separate sections based on their most suitable uses, and have included brief cultural notes. To ensure this study remained within the size requirements of a dissertation, I have limited my study to the plants which will grow in the South Island. This effectively removed a number of plants which are frost tender and are only able to grow in the warmer parks of the country. The collection is still however a fairly comprehensive one and includes most of the native plants used commonly throughout the country.