Olearia lacunosa is an evergreen shrub or small tree, growing up to 5 m high and is found in subalpine to alpine forests (900m = 2300m) from the Tararua Range southwards in North Island and mainly to the west of South Island, till above Franz Joseph Glacier.

The dark green narrow leaves are up to 17mm long and up to 5mm wide. The leaves have a prominent midrib and veins which impart an alveolate appearance to their lower surfaces. The leaves underside are covered with a brown tomentum. In spring/summer, it has flower heads of white daisy flowers. A mature tree photographed near Mt Arthur hut (Tasman region) at approximately 1100 masl.