Ancient Giants of the Northland Forest
Kauri forest tours in the Bay of Islands region visit the remnant stands of kauri trees (Agathis australis) — one of the oldest and largest tree species on earth, with individual trees exceeding 1,000 years of age, 50 metres in height, and trunk diameters of 4+ metres. The kauri forests of Northland were extensively logged in the 19th and early 20th centuries (kauri timber built New Zealand’s colonial-era infrastructure and was exported worldwide), and the surviving stands — now protected — are among the most ancient living organisms in New Zealand.
The Puketi and Omahuta Forests (approximately 30–45 minutes from Paihia) contain mature kauri accessible on short walking tracks through the native bush. The experience of standing beneath a 1,000-year-old kauri — the massive trunk rising vertically without branches for 20 metres before the crown begins — is a scale-of-time experience comparable to standing beside a redwood in California.
Kauri dieback (Phytophthora agathidicida) is a soil-borne disease that is killing kauri across Northland. Shoe-cleaning stations at the forest entrances are mandatory — scrub your footwear before and after entering the forest. The disease spreads in contaminated soil on shoes and equipment. Compliance is not optional — it is the difference between the surviving kauri living or dying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old are the kauri trees?
The oldest living kauri are estimated at 1,000–2,000+ years. Tane Mahuta (in the Waipoua Forest, approximately 2.5 hours from Paihia) is the largest surviving kauri — approximately 51 metres tall with a trunk girth of 13.8 metres.
Why must I clean my shoes?
Kauri dieback disease spreads through contaminated soil. The pathogen is invisible and travels on footwear, equipment, and animal hooves. The shoe-cleaning stations are essential — failure to comply contributes to the death of trees that have survived for a millennium.
How far are the kauri forests from Paihia?
The Puketi and Omahuta Forests are approximately 30–45 minutes from Paihia. The Waipoua Forest (Tane Mahuta) is approximately 2.5 hours west.