Te Matua Ngahere
Encyclopedia
Te Matua Ngahere is a giant kauri
(Agathis australis) coniferous tree
in the Waipoua Forest
of Northland Region, New Zealand
. The tree's Maori
name means "Father of the Forest". Although not as massive or tall as its neighbour Tāne Mahuta
, Te Matua Ngahere is stouter, with a girth
just over 16 metres (52.5 ft). It is believed to be the second largest living kauri tree, and to have the biggest girth of any kauri in the country. According to The New Zealand Herald
, it has the biggest girth of any tree in New Zealand.
Though there is no proof of the tree’s age, it is estimated to be between 1200 and 2000 years old; or between 2000 and 3000 years old; or even 4000 years old. One resource, published by National Geographic Books, claims that Te Matua Ngahere may be the oldest tree in New Zealand, while another suggests that it's the oldest rainforest tree on earth.
Revered by the Māori, Te Matua Ngahere is under their special protection. The tree, a remnant of the ancient rain forest that once grew on the North Auckland Peninsula
, has a relationship with other flora
, such as orchids, clubmoss, and a rata
tree that grew on it. Unfortunately, the Te Matua Ngahere suffered severe damage in July 2007, due to extreme winter storms in Northland when the rata which was growing on top of Te Matua Ngahere, was felled by strong storm winds, and took with it the central leader of Te Matua Ngahere plus several of its branches, thus shortening its life by hundreds of years.
The ancient tree is considered to be a natural heritage of New Zealand. It is generally considered to be over 1500 years old, and was first discovered by Nicholas Yakas in 1928 when he and his workers were building the State Highway 12 through the forest area. Forest conservationists estimate that such trees live for about 4000 years, but the life span of Te Matua Ngahere should shorten due to the damage from the 2007 storm winds. This storm also resulted in the fallen rata tree and other plants which are expected to provide excellent clues to the scientific ecological study of the fallen wood and plants.
The tree is well situated in an open space clearing. It is approached from State Highway 12 through the Waipoua Forest up to the car park, close to the site of the tree. From this point, a winding walk of about 20 minutes along a well-maintained track, surfaced with boardwalk
s, has marked signs leading directly to the Te Matua Ngahere. The boardwalks protect tree roots from being subjected to human feet. As the roots of the kauri tree are sensitive to frequent trampling by foot, it is advisable to avoid walking over the roots to ensure the long life of the trees.
The walk through the tract gives an educative exposure to the rich variety of tree species of genuine kauri, mixed podocarp, and several varieties of plants. The plants that are seen in abundance belong to the kauri grass, kiekie
, neinei and ferns
. A viewing tower provides excellent vistas of the rich forest cover. This ancient tree is stated to be the mother of 50 species of trees which grow on it. The largest tree in this forest reserve is Tāne Mahuta, which is named after the Maori god of the forests. It is situated further north of the Te Matua Ngahere. Though very high, it is not as striking as the Te Matua Ngahere which has a larger girth. Nearby is a cluster of four trees joined together and known as “Four Sisters”.
Waipoua forest reserve
The largest kauris and the largest area of intact kauri forest are found in the Waipoua forest. Waipoua forest was declared a sanctuary in 1952 to stop logging operations. It is stated to be the largest remnant of the extensive kauri forests of northern New Zealand. It is here that Te Matua Ngahere is located. An 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) road runs through the forest passing medium sized mature kauri 40 metres (131.2 ft) high 5 metres (16.4 ft) girth trees. A toatoa point here provides excellent views of the forest. The Park Visitor Information Centre disseminates information on the “Kauri trees, gum industry and native birds and other wild life.” The car park from where the Te Matua Ngahere could be approached through a track is about 8 kilometres (5 mi) from the Visitor Information Centre.
, which is also in the Waipoua Forest with a volume of 244 cubic metre. Its measurements are listed in the table below.
Important note: all the measurements above were taken in 1971. The most recent measurements may be found on the New Zealand Tree Register.
Agathis australis
Agathis australis, commonly known as the kauri, is a coniferous tree found north of 38°S in the northern districts of New Zealand's North Island. It is the largest but not tallest species of tree in New Zealand, standing up to 50 m tall in the emergent layer above the forest's main canopy. The...
(Agathis australis) coniferous tree
Pinophyta
The conifers, division Pinophyta, also known as division Coniferophyta or Coniferae, are one of 13 or 14 division level taxa within the Kingdom Plantae. Pinophytes are gymnosperms. They are cone-bearing seed plants with vascular tissue; all extant conifers are woody plants, the great majority being...
in 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....
of Northland Region, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The tree's Maori
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
name means "Father of the Forest". Although not as massive or tall as its neighbour Tāne 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...
, Te Matua Ngahere is stouter, with a girth
Girth
In graph theory, the girth of a graph is the length of a shortest cycle contained in the graph. If the graph does not contain any cycles , its girth is defined to be infinity....
just over 16 metres (52.5 ft). It is believed to be the second largest living kauri tree, and to have the biggest girth of any kauri in the country. According to The New Zealand Herald
The New Zealand Herald
- External links :* * *...
, it has the biggest girth of any tree in New Zealand.
Though there is no proof of the tree’s age, it is estimated to be between 1200 and 2000 years old; or between 2000 and 3000 years old; or even 4000 years old. One resource, published by National Geographic Books, claims that Te Matua Ngahere may be the oldest tree in New Zealand, while another suggests that it's the oldest rainforest tree on earth.
Revered by the Māori, Te Matua Ngahere is under their special protection. The tree, a remnant of the ancient rain forest that once grew on the North Auckland Peninsula
North Auckland Peninsula
The North Auckland Peninsula, frequently referred to simply as the Northland Peninsula, is located in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. The peninsula is easily confused with, though not the same as Northland Region, which occupies the top 80% of the peninsula...
, has a relationship with other flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
, such as orchids, clubmoss, and a rata
Rata
Rata may refer to:* Plants of the genus Metrosideros from New Zealand, including** Metrosideros robusta ** Metrosideros bartlettii ** Metrosideros carminea...
tree that grew on it. Unfortunately, the Te Matua Ngahere suffered severe damage in July 2007, due to extreme winter storms in Northland when the rata which was growing on top of Te Matua Ngahere, was felled by strong storm winds, and took with it the central leader of Te Matua Ngahere plus several of its branches, thus shortening its life by hundreds of years.
History
Geography
The Te Matua Ngahere is situated in the Waipoua forest reserve, next to contiguous forest tracts of Mataraua and Waima, an area of international significance. These forests are within the largest residual region of the native forests in Northland of New Zealand. The nearest populated place is Wekaweka at a distance of 25.2 kilometres (15.7 mi).The tree is well situated in an open space clearing. It is approached from State Highway 12 through the Waipoua Forest up to the car park, close to the site of the tree. From this point, a winding walk of about 20 minutes along a well-maintained track, surfaced with boardwalk
Boardwalk
A boardwalk, in the conventional sense, is a wooden walkway for pedestrians and sometimes vehicles, often found along beaches, but they are also common as paths through wetlands, coastal dunes, and other sensitive environments....
s, has marked signs leading directly to the Te Matua Ngahere. The boardwalks protect tree roots from being subjected to human feet. As the roots of the kauri tree are sensitive to frequent trampling by foot, it is advisable to avoid walking over the roots to ensure the long life of the trees.
The walk through the tract gives an educative exposure to the rich variety of tree species of genuine kauri, mixed podocarp, and several varieties of plants. The plants that are seen in abundance belong to the kauri grass, kiekie
Kiekie (plant)
Kiekie is a densely branched, brittle, woody climber native to New Zealand. It is a member of the screwpalm family Pandanaceae....
, neinei and ferns
Fern
A fern is any one of a group of about 12,000 species of plants belonging to the botanical group known as Pteridophyta. Unlike mosses, they have xylem and phloem . They have stems, leaves, and roots like other vascular plants...
. A viewing tower provides excellent vistas of the rich forest cover. This ancient tree is stated to be the mother of 50 species of trees which grow on it. The largest tree in this forest reserve is Tāne Mahuta, which is named after the Maori god of the forests. It is situated further north of the Te Matua Ngahere. Though very high, it is not as striking as the Te Matua Ngahere which has a larger girth. Nearby is a cluster of four trees joined together and known as “Four Sisters”.
Waipoua forest reserve
The largest kauris and the largest area of intact kauri forest are found in the Waipoua forest. Waipoua forest was declared a sanctuary in 1952 to stop logging operations. It is stated to be the largest remnant of the extensive kauri forests of northern New Zealand. It is here that Te Matua Ngahere is located. An 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) road runs through the forest passing medium sized mature kauri 40 metres (131.2 ft) high 5 metres (16.4 ft) girth trees. A toatoa point here provides excellent views of the forest. The Park Visitor Information Centre disseminates information on the “Kauri trees, gum industry and native birds and other wild life.” The car park from where the Te Matua Ngahere could be approached through a track is about 8 kilometres (5 mi) from the Visitor Information Centre.
Measurements
The reticulated trunk, which is about 16.41/pi or 5.2 metres (17.1 ft) in diameter, hardly tapers an inch in the area between a man's chest height and the next 10 meters, although some books may confuse these figures (e.g. 50 feet.). With an estimated volume of 208.1 cubic metre, it is stated to have the second biggest trunk by volume; however, the biggest tree by volume is the Tane MahutaTane 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...
, which is also in the Waipoua Forest with a volume of 244 cubic metre. Its measurements are listed in the table below.
| Trunk girth Girth In graph theory, the girth of a graph is the length of a shortest cycle contained in the graph. If the graph does not contain any cycles , its girth is defined to be infinity.... |
16.41 m (53.8 ft) |
| Trunk height | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Total height | 29.9 m (98.1 ft) |
| Trunk volume | 208.1 cubic metre |
Important note: all the measurements above were taken in 1971. The most recent measurements may be found on the New Zealand Tree Register.