Te Matua Ngahere Walk
Track category
Short walk
Time:
20 min one way
Distance:
730 m
Description
Visitor standing at the base of the kauri
'Te Matua Ngahere'
Introduction
"Te Matua Ngahere" (Father of the Forest) is the second largest living Kauri tree in New Zealand. He is also noted as being the oldest out of the two largest living Kauri trees and is estimated to exceed 2000 year old. He was discovered by Nicholas Yakas in 1928 when he and other men were working to build the road that is now known as State Highway 12.
Measurements
Trunk Girth 16.41 m
Trunk Height 10.21 m
Total Height 29.9 m
Trunk Volume 208.1 m3
Track description
A 20-minute walk leads you to "Te Matua Ngahere" (Father of the Forest). The track is well surfaced and ranges from metal to boardwalk surfaces. It is suitable for push prams and wheelchairs, although wheelchair users may need assistance in some areas. The track offers visitors an opportunity to experience many aspects of this dynamic forest system. The forest type varies from almost pure kauri stands to mixed podocarp/hardwood, vegetation is dominated by kauri, kauri grass, kiekie, neinei and ferns. A viewing platform helps you to admire the tree without damaging its sensitive root systems.
It is very important that you keep to the walking track at all times. Kauri trees have very sensitive surface roots, and foot traffic around the trees endangers their life span.
Getting there
The Te Matua Ngahere Track is sign posted "Kauri Walks" from State Highway 12, which runs through the Waipoua Forest.
Security is maintained in this car park by a $2.00 donation during the day to the car park ambassador.
From the car park, there is a track sign for the three walks available for recreational walking, the "Te Matua Ngahere", "Four Sisters", and the "Yakas Kauri".
The track meanders through native bush bringing you to a central point from which you can access the three tracks. From here the "Te Matua Ngahere" track is very well sign posted and located directly in the middle of this open space.
Plan and prepare
- Please note that there is no general store, petrol station or supermarket in Waipoua Forest.
- The nearest petrol station is 28 km south of Kaihu, and 20 km north of Waimamaku
- Nearest toilets are located at the Tane Mahuta car park.
- In strong winds, please beware of falling branches.
- Please ensure your footwear is clean before entering the bush, and is cleaned before visiting another site. This is to help prevent the spread of the kauri dieback disease Phytophthora taxon Agathis (PTA)
- Permits are required for dogs and hunting on conservation land, these can be acquired free of charge from the Kauri Coast Office.
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