"We are the forest, and the forest is us." ~ Snow Tane, Te Roroa
If trees could speak, what would they say? Would they tell of the past, of our past, of theirs? Would they share their story, one of peace and abundance, one that began long before our own? Would they speak of the mighty ones, those who have fallen, those who remain? Or would they stay silent and save the speaking for the mightiest of all?
Lord of the Forest
Tāne Mahuta, the largest Kauri in Aotearoa, is approximately 1,500 years old. Said to have grown between his parents - Ranginui, the sky father, and Papatūānuku, the earth mother - Tāne separated them, sending his father into the sky and clothing his mother in the forest. Tāne is said to be the father of all life in the forest, making the living creatures within his children.
Tāne Mahuta, a giant amongst giants, continues to grow today in Waipoua Forest. A symbol of Māori mythology and the story of creation, but also of survival and perseverance.
Kauri
One of the largest native tree species in New Zealand, Kauri are callosal, reaching heights of 51.5 metres and girths of 13.77 metres, the size of Tāne Mahuta. Their volume nearly overshadows their height, which is saying something.
Timber and Gum
Originally, Māori used Kauri timber for carving, and building houses and boats. Meanwhile, the Kauri gum was used to start fires and chew.
However, when Europeans arrived, the Kauri forests were decimated. The wood was used for building houses, ships and dams, while the gum was extracted for varnishes and resins. The quality of Kauri timber was unsurpassable. It was thus harvested at an alarming rate, shrinking the once 1.2 million hectares of Kauri forest to what now remains.
Safe and Sound
Today, the surviving 40,000 Kauri trees in Northland are under the protection of the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Kauri Ora programme led by Te Rorora with Te Taitokerau iwi, Ngāti Kuri, Te Rarawa, and Ngāti Wai. These hardy, gentle giants, along with their historical and cultural significance, provide habitat for the endangered North Island Kōkako and North Island Brown Kiwi. Also finding refuge amongst the Kauri of present day are Kererū, Pīwakawaka, the pūpū-rangi, and several other threatened native species.
See For Yourself
We spent time with Tāne Mahuta and the rest of the Kauri as we travelled along the Kauri Coast. In our next story, read about our experience and get some ideas for planning your adventure to this magical part of Aotearoa.
By Mike Bilo