The Acer rubrum varieties are not well known in Auckland, but we find that they colour up in autumn reliably every year, are easy to grow in a wide range of soils from damp to dry, are reasonably wind tolerant. Try them as an avenue tree, a shade tree for stock, or in a corner of the garden where you can let them get to a good size. They can be left to grow large, or, keep them trimmed to really maximise the impact of the autumn colour.