Waipoua Kauri Forest

Waipoua Kauri Forest includes some of the very best examples of old-growth kauri forest remaining in New Zealand. It is particularly known for being the home to two of the largest living kauri trees, Tane Mahuta (51 m high) and Te Matua Ngahere (trunk girth of 16.4 m!). Kauri trees are evergreens, they belong to the family of conifers and are believed to have been around since the Jurassic period. Waipoua is located in the Northland Region; the sanctuary was created in 1952. It also includes the largest population of North Island brown kiwi in Northland. Populations of the endangered North Island kokako (bird) can be found in the high plateau country. The forest contains approximately 70% of the country’s remaining kauri trees and covers an area of 25 km² of pristine and spectacular wilderness.