Waipoua Forest

The Maori tribe Te Roroa are the people of the land, who lived in the Waipoua Forest for hundreds of years. In the 19th Century, the European first set foot amongst the giant kauris, and the forests were soon exploited for their durable timber. Young kauri were felled in their thousands to provide ship masts and spars.

Today, Waipoua and the neighbouring forests of Mataraua and Waima, make up the largest remaining tract of native forest left in northern New Zealand. The remnants are now under the protection of the Department of Conservation.There is no milling of mature kauri trees nowadays, except under extraordinary circumstances such as for the carving of a Maori canoe.

The road through the forest passes by some splendid huge kauris and the Park Visitor Centre has plenty of information and excellent exhibits on kauri trees, native birds and wildlife. The largest kauri tree in New Zealand is Tane Mahuta, "God of the Forest". It stands close to the road, is about 52 meters high and estimated to be 1,200 years old. A very special experience is a personalized night walk with a local Maori guide, which can be arranged by Umfulana.