Celmisia mackaui, Banks Peninsula daisy or Akaroa daisy is endemic to the South Island, on Banks Peninsula only, and is considered Naturally Uncommon due to this narrow range. It is locally widespread in the small part of Banks Peninsula from which it is known. Some populations are in decline as a natural consequence of vegetation succession to taller forest, this species having temporarily expanded its range into habitats created by past logging, fires and attempts at farming. It grows in coastal to montane areas from sea-level to 600m asl, and is usually found in damp, rocky places, especially along precipitous south-facing bluffs and waterfalls. Occasional extending into tussock grassland, and on sheltered rocky outcrops. Occasional found in seepages amongst flax. It is a robust woody-based multi-stemmed tufted, virtually hairless herb 45cm tall and up to 80cm across with short branchlets that arise from the roots, usually just below the soil surface, with light green to darker blue-green arching and drooping sword-shaped leaves that can have a glaucous bloom, in rosettes at the tips of branchlets. It flowers well and can produce numerous white daisy flowers with yellow centres on often purple short stout stems from January to February followed by wind dispersed seeds from February to June.  Flowers can be often flushed with pink-purple as they age. It does best in a shaded, moist but free draining soil, and like most Celmisia it dislikes humidity and will not tolerate drying out. It is great for a semi-shaded garden situation or for a rock garden.