Te Matua Ngahere, Ancient kauri tree in Waipoua Forest, New Zealand
Te Matua Ngahere is an ancient kauri tree in Waipoua Forest and the second largest of its kind in the world. The trunk spans about 16 meters around its girth, with the tree rising roughly 30 meters high.
The tree was discovered in 1928 by Nicholas Yakas during a survey for building State Highway 12. This chance discovery later led to the forest being protected as a special reserve.
The name means Father of the Forest in Māori, reflecting how indigenous people view these ancient trees as guardians of the land. Today, visitors find that locals treat the tree with deep respect during their visits.
A well-maintained walking path of about 730 meters leads from the parking area to the tree and is easy to follow. Along the way, viewing platforms are designed to keep visitors off the sensitive root system.
Scientists estimate the tree is between 2,000 and 4,000 years old, making it one of New Zealand's oldest living organisms. This wide age range shows how hard it is to pinpoint the exact age of such ancient trees.
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