Fossil leaves of two Early Miocene orchids (Dendrobium and Earina) are reported from New Zealand. The distinctive, raised tetra- to cyclocytic stomatal subsidiary cells of Earina and characteristic papilla-like absorbing glands and "ringed" guard cells of Dendrobium support the placement of the fossils into these genera. These therefore represent the first Orchidaceae macrofossils with cuticular preservation, the oldest records for subfamily Epidendroideae, as well as the first New Zealand and southern hemisphere fossil records for Orchidaceae. These taxa belong in basal clades to the Vandeae/Cymbideae or Epidendreae (Earina) and the Australasian clade of Dendrobium sensu lato. This phylogenetic placement demonstrates expansion of epiphytic orchids into Zealandia by the mid-Cenozoic and an important role for southern continents in the diversification of Orchidaceae.

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A new genus and species, Fouldenia staminosa, are proposed for an angiosperm flower with associated pollen bearing anthers found in Early Miocene finely laminated lacustrine diatomite at Foulden Hills, Otago. This is the first New Zealand record of a Miocene flower with in situ pollen and among few such records worldwide. The pollen is closely similar to Rubipollis oblatus, of unknown affinity, known from Late Oligocene to Early Miocene strata elsewhere in New Zealand and Australia, but differs in being spheroidal to subprolate. In spite of the relatively good preservation of both the flower and its pollen it has not been possible to assign this species to an extant genus or even family. The highly diverse angiosperm pollen flora from the same bedding plane in the diatomite indicates that Fouldenia grew in a dry, warm temperate to subtropical climate.