Tāne Mahuta
What: Tāne Mahuta
Where: Waipoua Forest, NZ North Island
Tāne Mahuta, aptly known as the “Lord of the Forest”, is the largest living kauri tree in New Zealand, located in Waipoua Forest in Northland. Estimated to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years old, it stands over 45 meters tall with a trunk girth of more than 13 meters. Its name honours Tāne, the Māori god of forests and birds, reflecting the strong cultural importance of the tree.
Reaching the Lord of the Forest is easy and accessible: a short, level walk of about 170 meters leads directly to the tree, with a path suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. Guided tours to Tāne Mahuta are also available and typically combine visits to the giant kauri tree with Māori storytelling, cultural insights, and information about the history and ecology of the Waipoua Forest.
Locals and visitors alike come to see Tāne Mahuta not just for its scale, but for its presence and cultural importance. It’s a living remnant of the ancient subtropical forest that once covered the region, and plays a vital role in both natural heritage and Māori tradition