Coprosma crassifolia or hairy coprosma is endemic to the North and South Islands, and is found from Mangonui in the North Island, southwards, and throughout the South Island, but mainly east of the main ranges. It grows in coastal, lowland and lower montane shrub-land, scrub and forest, especially on rocky ground from sea-level to 400m asl. A bushy shrub up to 4m with stiff interlacing branches, that can be reddish brown and hairy when young, but become smooth, often ridged and sculptured, somewhat polished and glossy, and mottled with darker and lighter reddish brown patches with age. It has thick characteristically broad and rounded, variable in size, green glossy leaves that are very pale underneath. The leaf stalks are hairy, and leaf blades on young plants can also fringed with hairs. Plants growing under forest canopy can be more openly branched and the leaves can be thinner and larger. It flowers from September to October, with fruit appearing from March onwards.  It is very hardy, especially for dry exposed areas.