Te Matua Ngahere
New Zealand's kauri with the thickest trunk, about 16 metres in girth. Along the forest walk you will also pass the 'Four Sisters', four kauri growing from a single base.
Te Matua Ngahere, meaning 'Father of the Forest', stands about 2 km south of Tāne Mahuta. It is about 30 metres tall, with a trunk girth of about 16.4 metres, making it New Zealand's thickest kauri. It may be more than 2,000 years old, and its stout trunk and dense crown are impressive. From the car park on State Highway 12, a flat forest track and boardwalk lead to it in about 20 minutes, passing the 'Four Sisters', four kauri growing from the same spot. The round trip takes about 40 minutes and suits all ages. The visit is free. Clean your shoes at the disinfection station, and keep to the boardwalks to prevent kauri dieback. The track is sometimes closed for protection or repairs, so check the website of the New Zealand Department of Conservation before you set out.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Tāne Mahuta
- Trounson Kauri Park
- Opononi & Omapere
- Arai te Uru Heritage Walk
- Koutu Boulders
- Hokianga North Head Sand Dunes
- Rawene
- Kai Iwi Lakes