What does Karaka look like?
It's a dark green with depth, nearer native bush than bright paddock grass. On a hillside or among trees and shelter belts it tends to sit back into the view rather than stand out.
In town it suits weatherboard bungalows and villas with cream, white or soft grey walls.
Rural zones and colour rules
Some councils control roof colour in rural areas. Queenstown Lakes District Council requires roofs in its Rural Residential and Rural Lifestyle zones to have an LRV of no more than 20%, and its colour guide names Karaka as usually appropriate. Rules differ between districts, so check your district plan or ask the council first.
Sheds, stock and fertiliser
If the same green is going on a farm building, what happens inside matters. NZ Steel lists harsh interiors such as intensive animal farming sheds as special environments, and its warranty excludes damage from contact with soil, ash, fertiliser or saltwater. Tell your roofer exactly what the building is used for.
Coast and geothermal
Karaka is made in COLORSTEEL MAXAM, which suits most of the country, and ALTIMATE, which NZ Steel lists for extreme marine, volcanic and highly corrosive sites. Ask the roofer to confirm NZ Steel's environmental category for your address, especially within 100 m of saltwater or anywhere near geothermal activity.
Signs a quote isn't giving you genuine COLORSTEEL
- It says 'coloured steel' or 'Colorsteel-style' without naming the product
- It gives the colour but not MAXAM or ALTIMATE
- The roofer can't say which rollformer the sheets come from
- There is no offer of a copy of the warranty
- The sheets arrive without COLORSTEEL printed on the back, which NZ Steel says every genuine sheet has
What we'd choose
For a rural house, or a home backing onto bush, Karaka is the green we'd look at first. A screen can't show you how it really looks, so see a sample sheet outdoors. Find My Roofer works independently and isn't affiliated with New Zealand Steel. Tell us about the job and we'll pass it to one checked roofer near you.
Want a roofer to take a look?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match it with a Find My Roofer certified roofer who specialises in that kind of work, and they call you to quote. Your number goes to them alone.