Plan to save Ta¯ ne Mahuta
Project aims to protect iconic tree from kauri dieback disease
Waipoua Forest and the country’s most iconic kauri tree Ta¯ne Mahuta are at serious risk from kauri dieback disease and other issues.
Now a project has been launched to protect the giant kauri tree and transform Waipoua Forest for the benefit of future generations and the 200,000-plus visitors it attracts every year.
Work is about to begin on the first phase of a long-term, transformative project to protect Ta¯ne Mahuta and the forest — Ra¯kau Rangatira. Ta¯ne Mahuta is so far free of kauri dieback, but the pathogen was found 60m away several years ago and millions has been spent trying to protect the ancient tree and wider forest.
The disease has also been found in several other Northland forests.
The Department of Conservation (DoC) and Te Iwi O Te Roroa have awarded the tender for the reconstruction of the bridge, boardwalk, and viewing platform at Ta¯ ne Mahuta to Auckland company Milton Harward Construction.
The work is part of phase one of ‘Ra¯kau Rangatira’ — a partnership project between DoC and Te Iwi O Te Roroa to upgrade the visitor infrastructure and the visitor experience in the Far North’s Waipoua Forest.
The work means the Ta¯ ne Mahuta Walk will close while it is carried out, with construction due to start on September 30. While this work is under way access to Ta¯ne Mahuta will close for about eight weeks in advance of the busy summer season. However, Kauri Walks (Te Matua Ngahere) will remain open for visitors to enjoy the forest and its giant, ancient kauri.
DoC’s Kauri Coast operations manager Stephen Soole said Ta¯ne Mahuta and the other ra¯ kau rangatira (chiefly trees) of Waipoua are at serious risk from the further irreversible spread of the pathogen Phytophthora agathidicida (PA), which causes kauri dieback disease, meaning proactive
and sustainable measures are essential.
“DoC is proud to work alongside Te Roroa to replace end-of-life facilities at Ta¯ne Mahuta which are no longer fit for purpose and currently pose risks to the forest and visitors,” Soole said.
“Upgrading these facilities provides a crucial opportunity to enhance protections for kauri in Waipoua and increase visitor safety for approximately 200,000 visitors a year.”
Te Iwi O Te Roroa general manager
Snow Ta¯ ne said protecting Ta¯ ne Mahuta during construction works is vital and the iwi is pleased to have a contractor specialising in undertaking works in kauri forests on board.
“Our Kauri Ora teams will be assisting throughout construction to monitor controls and protection protocols,” Ta¯ne said.
Future phases of the Ra¯ kau Rangatira project aim to upgrade visitor infrastructure and enhance the visitor experience at Waipoua Forest while prioritising forest health.
partnership with Te Roroa, we are exploring ambitious and transformative operating models and regenerative tourism options, designed to restore and enhance Waipoua’s natural environment while ensuring a sustainable future,” Soole said.
“Guided walks and a park-and-ride option are two initiatives being explored. If introduced, they will deepen visitors’ connection to culture and nature, increase public safety, minimise environmental impact, and allow visitors to play an active role in contributing to ongoing conservation.
“Through the development of improved infrastructure, DoC and Te Roroa hope to provide the opportunity for visitors to experience parts of Waipoua that have not previously been accessible such as some of the wetland areas behind Te Matua Ngahere.” Ta¯ne Mahuta is expected to reopen with renewed assets from late November.