Kauri Museum
Encyclopedia
Matakohe
Matakohe is a settlement in Northland, New Zealand. The Matakohe River is a short river which runs from the north into the Arapaoa River, which is part of the Kaipara Harbour. State Highway 12 passes through Matakohe. Ruawai is 16 km to the west, and Paparoa is 6 km north east...
, Northland, New Zealand.
The museum, to the south of the Waipoua Forest
Waipoua Forest
Waipoua Forest preserves some of the best examples of kauri forest remaining in New Zealand. It is notable for having two of the largest living kauri trees, Tane Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere.The forest was declared a sanctuary in 1952....
, contains many exhibits that tell the story of the pioneering days when early European settlers in the area extracted kauri timber and kauri gum.
The museum has over 4000 sq metres of undercover exhibits, including the largest collection of Kauri Gum in the world, and the largest collection of Kauri furniture. It has a model of a 1900s kauri house with furniture and models in the dress of the early years, and an extensive collection of photographs and pioneering memorabilia.
On the wall, there are full-scale circumference outlines of the huge trees, including one of 8 1/2 meters, larger even than Tane Mahuta
Tane Mahuta
Tāne Mahuta is a giant kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest of Northland Region, New Zealand. Its age is unknown but is estimated to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years old. It is the largest kauri known to stand today...
.
The museum includes a working mock-up of a steam sawmill.
The museum tells its story from the colonial viewpoint, and presents its representation of the kauri gum industry as part of the process of creating the New Zealand identity. It has little to say about negative aspects, such as the impact on the Maori people.
The museum has however helped raise awareness of the need to conserve the remaining forest through a display of photographs by the conservationist Stephen King, presented in partnership with the Waipoua Forest Trust.