Tane Mahuta Walk
Waipoua Forest
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Information
Tane Mahuta Walk
325 m return | 10 minutes return
Tane Mahuta, God of the Forest, is estimated to be 2,000 years old. He is 51.5 metres high, has a girth of 13.8 metres. He rises nearly 10 metres before there is any tapering in his trunk. He is the largest, best-known and most publicised kauri.
This is a spiritual place - According to Maori mythology Tane is the son of Ranginui the sky father and Papatuanuku the earth mother. Tane was the child that tore his parent’s parental embrace and once done set about clothing his mother in the forest we have here today. All living creatures of the forest are regarded as Tane’s children.
Walking Track
Timing
It can get busy so if you prefer a quieter experience then time your walk for early or late in the day. Hanging out with Tane Mahuta at dawn or dusk is gold!
Access
Tane Mahuta is comprehensively signposted on S.H.12, 11km north of the Waipoua Visitor Centre. There are toilets, picnic tables and roadside parking nearby.
Track
The track is wide, metalled, even and suitable for wheelchairs, although one fallen tree at an angle over the track may need negotiation.
Boardwalks are constructed to protect the shallow fragile root systems of the tree.
Flora
The largest ever recorded kauri had a girth nearly twice as large.
The dying tips of his branches show he is in the autumn of his years and probably hollowing on the inside. His sheltered location should allow for continued wonder for generations yet.
Over 15% of the recorded species in the Waipoua Forest live as an empire of epiphytes in the clefts between his upper branches. Moisture collects in these hollows and a moss begins to form. This creates an embryonic soil for a seed, either blown by the wind or dropped by a bird, to germinate. The leaf litter accumulates and develops humus, sustaining the plant. In this way a hanging garden evolves in the tree.
Polynesian History
In Maori mythology, Tane was the son of Ranginui (Sky Father) and Papatuanaku (Earth Mother). With his almighty strength, he separated their embrace, creating light, air and space – the elements for life to flourish. Tane is thus seen as the life giver and all living creatures are his progeny.
Details
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Organisation |
DOC NorthlandCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Hokianga |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
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5.0/5
Amazing to see the largest kauri tree.
Short walk from the road. Be sure to clean your shoes properly at the station on the way in and out of the walk to help stop the spread of kauri die back disease. Toilets across the toad as well as awesome fresh fruit ice cream. Worth the stop along the way.
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5.0/5
Really amazing, it's worth while a stop, just 5 min walking from the road.
A monster tree that I'll always remember.
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4.5/5
Beautiful walks and loops under the tree of Waipoua Forest with stunning stops in front of the biggest Kauri.
Quiet atmosphere and respectful people. Information and signage are helpful - congratulations!!
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4.0/5
A short walk to see the biggest living Kauris in the country.
It is a nice, easy flat walk.
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4.5/5
A lovely walk on well maintained paths to see the largest living Kauri tree.
Excellent.
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4.0/5
A short walk takes you to the biggest Kauri tree in New Zealand which is very impressive, unlike anything I have ever seen.
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4.0/5
A great walk under the cooling shadows of the Kauri trees.
Great conditions and clean facilities.
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3.0/5
Very big and nice trees.
I believe it was the biggest tree in New Zealand. The drive along the west coast is also very nice.
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5.0/5
Amazing to see the largest kauri tree.
Short walk from the road. Be sure to clean your shoes properly at the station on the way in and out of the walk to help stop the spread of kauri die back disease. Toilets across the toad as well as awesome fresh fruit ice cream. Worth the stop along the way.
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5.0/5
Really amazing, it's worth while a stop, just 5 min walking from the road.
A monster tree that I'll always remember.
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4.0/5
A short walk to see the biggest living Kauris in the country.
It is a nice, easy flat walk.
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4.5/5
Beautiful walks and loops under the tree of Waipoua Forest with stunning stops in front of the biggest Kauri.
Quiet atmosphere and respectful people. Information and signage are helpful - congratulations!!
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4.5/5
A lovely walk on well maintained paths to see the largest living Kauri tree.
Excellent.
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4.0/5
A short walk takes you to the biggest Kauri tree in New Zealand which is very impressive, unlike anything I have ever seen.
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4.0/5
A great walk under the cooling shadows of the Kauri trees.
Great conditions and clean facilities.
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4.0/5
Really impressive Kauri tree.
It is an easy walk over a wooden board path. You can see the biggest Kauri tree of New Zealand!
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5.0/5
Lovely short walk through the forest to see New Zealand's mightiest Kauri tree.
There is also the Four Sisters, four trees all growing together.
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4.0/5
It is a very big tree but shorter than I imagined.
Lots of available information.
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3.0/5
Very big and nice trees.
I believe it was the biggest tree in New Zealand. The drive along the west coast is also very nice.
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5.0/5
What a nice walk to see some Kauri trees.
Two of them are more than 1000 years old and they are huge. This will make you feel how small you are against the nature. Good experience and amazing feeling.
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4.0/5
Very impressive to see something that old.
Big cultural must do. Nice five minute walk.
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3.0/5
Very easy to reach from the highway and a spot that you should check out when passing by.
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5.0/5
Majestic tree still stands alive inside this green and shady forest.
Impressive.
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5.0/5
One of our highlights of the North Island were the many DOC walks through the giant Kauri forests of Waipoua.
Great way to stretch the legs (and the necks) as you stare up at these monsters. Free too which is always good. Don't miss the big boys, Tane Mahuta, Te Matua, Yakas and their 4 Sisters!
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3.5/5
It is big, but it is not the biggest tree I have ever seen, good information signs about it all.
Chip van outside does average tasting chips, very slowly.
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