Pohutakawa - Not!

This flower head, situated in a neighbour's front garden, always reminds me of the many Pohutakawa I saw in Auckland one December (1998, since you ask:-). I was told that the pohutakawa is considered to be NZ's version of a Christmas Tree because it flowers in December each year. Can any Kiwi confirm or deny that please?  (I believe that it's North Island only.)