araire belongs to the Lauraceae family, which is mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions.
The bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is another well-known member of this family.
New Zealand has three tree species: tawa, taraire, and mangeao, along with the parasitic liane Cassythea.

Taraire grows exclusively in the north of New Zealand, ranging from North Cape south to Raglan and East Cape. It thrives between the Kaipara and the Bay of Islands. Taraire is the commonest understory species in kauri forests and dominates some lowland forests, such as Kirks’s Bush in Papakura. It prefers well-drained, fertile soils and does not tolerate poor drainage or extremely dry sites.
 
Mature taraire trees can reach up to 22 meters (72 feet) tall with a diameter of 90 to 100 centimeters (35 to 39 inches).
 
Taraire produces large, fleshy drupes (fruit) up to 4 centimeters long.
These drupes ripen in late spring to early summer and serve as an important food source for kereru, which effectively spread the seeds throughout the forest.