A University of Auckland study has found nearly 400 New Zealand native flora have "promising" medicinal properties.
But the Department of Conservation says that certain native plant species are in more trouble than ever.
There has been a 3% increase in endangered plants since 2012, with 402 classed as "threatened." while a further 851 are seen as "at risk"
They say that restrictions are in place that require anyone looking for samples of native plants to have special permission to do so.
Lead researcher Lisa Pilkington said the use of native plants for medical purposes was not a new idea, but the system of categorising the most promising plants was new.
She said "lead-like" was the category with the most potential. It indicates plants with the highest medicinal potential.
About 10 percent of native plants were in this bracket.
Pilkington said consultation with Māori would be the first priority before continuing with the investigation of these plants.