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New Zealand
> National Parks > Waipoua Forest
 The last remains of the ancient subtropical rain forest
that once grew on the northland
peninsula, Waipoua forest contains the largest remaining stand of New
Zealand's ancient kauri trees and represents a major conservation effort by
the community. Not only the last of the ancient kauri trees being preserved,
all wildlife within the park is in the process of recovery with much of the
work being done by the
Waipoua Forest Trust.
Within the forest, there
are a number of walking and tramping tracks, including a wheel-chair access
to Tane Mahuta which may be up to 3000 years old is the world's largest
rainforest tree and an icon of New Zealand's unique natural heritage. Tane
Mahuta is the tree's Maori name which means "Lord of the Forest. It is 51
metres (169 feet) in height, and has a circumference of 13.8 metres (45
feet).
Te Matua Ngahere is another great tree which in Maori
means "Father of the Forest". Although not as massive or tall as its
neighbour Tane Mahuta. Te Matua Ngahere is more stout with a girth of 18
metres (59 feet) and is estimated to be close to 2000 years old.
Kauri roots are extremely sensitive to trampling and along the tracks
steps have been taken to protect the delicate root structure of the kauri,
so please stay on the marked and benched tracks to ensure no damage is done
to these magnificent trees.
Waipoua Forest is located between Aranga and Waimamaku, on
highway 12, about 45km north of Dargaville or can be
accessed from Kaikohe.
Trounson Kauri Park
Trounson kauri park is just south of Waipoua Forest, it is an island of
forest (450ha) amid farmland. It is home to the North Island brown kiwi,
kukupa (NZ pigeon) as well as a fine stand of kauri trees. Since 1995 the
Trounson kauri park project has been aiming to restore the forest to its
former grandeur and allow the public to enjoy a glimpse of New Zealand as it
was before the arrival of people.
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