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SAFETY
ISSUES:
Please before attempting any activity report to the park's visitor
centre for further information about weather conditions, times,
experience and equipment required.
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The Coromandel Peninsula was covered in kauri forest when the
Europeans arrived in New Zealand, and many huge trees grew there.
One of the largest kauri for which there is reasonably reliable
record was the Father of the Forests in Mercury Bay. Reported
values for its girth are between 21.95 m (72') and 23.77 m (78'),
and for the height to the first branch either 21.34 m (70')
or 24.38 m (80'). It was destroyed by fire, the fate of many
fine trees in New Zealand, as often intentionally lit as not.
Most of these kauri forests of the Coromandel were logged and
burnt, but fortunately some intact tracts remain, with fine
specimens of large trees. Ever since the time they were logged
the forests have been regenerating, and young kauri rickers
are now widespread over thousands of hectares.
Related information:
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Kauri forest, Coromandel
Peninsula. Photo B. Ahern, courtesy of Department of Conservation.
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NAME
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LOCATION
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DETAILS
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| Tanenui |
Manaia Forest Sanctuary |
The 6th largest in New Zealand,
girth 10.08 m (33'), trunk height 18.29 m (60'), total height
47.2 m (155'). |
| Tairua No1 |
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The 9th largest kauri, girth
9.78 m (32'), trunk height 22.86 m (75'), total height 49.7
m (163'). |
| Otamakite |
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Girth 10.54 m (34.5'), trunk
height 13.82 m (45.3'), total height 41.7 m (137') |
| Devcich |
Kopu-Hikuai road |
The most easily reached of the
large kauris of the Coromandel. Girth 10.54 m (34.5'), trunk
height 12.55 m (41'), total height 46.5 m (152.5') |
| Opitonui |
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Girth 9.68 m (31.7'), trunk height
15.14 m (49.7'), total height 41.1 m (136') |
| Tairua No3 |
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The tallest known kauri. Girth
9.68 m (31.7'), trunk height 12.5 m (41'), total height
56.3 m (184.7'). |
| Square Kauri |
Near the summit of Tapu-Coroglen
road |
The most visited of the large
kauris of the Coromandel. Girth 8.7 m (28.5'), height 41.1
m (135'). |
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| NAME |
LOCATION |
DETAILS |
| Times given
one way unless stated otherwise. |
| Waiomu Ecological Area |
Track from Waiomu, north of Thames. |
Fine kauri stand and regenerating
forest. |
| Square Kauri |
Tapu-Coroglen road |
Located just west of the highest
point of the road, a few metres from the road. |
| Devcich Kauri |
Kopu Hikuai road, between Thames
and Pauanui |
The track starts near the highest
point of the road. Time approximately 3/4 hour. |
| Tairua Twin Kauri Reserve |
Tairua |
A 30 mn walk. |
| Manaia Forest Sanctuary |
Inland from Manaia Harbour, just
south of Coromandel Harbour. |
A permit is required to visit
the sanctuary. Enquire at Department of Conservation's Visitor
Centre. 2 1/2 hour tramp one way. |
| Waiau Kauri Grove |
Close to the summit of the 309
Road |
A 10 mn, superb walk on good
track, through one of the few unlogged tracts of kauri forest
in the Coromandel. |
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION VISITOR CENTRES
- Hauraki Area Office, 438 Pollen St PO Box 343 Thames, Phone:
++ 64 7 867 9180.
- Coromandel Field Centre, C/- Thames Coromandel District
Council Kapanga Rd, PO Box 19 Coromandel, Phone: ++ 64 7 866
1 100.
- Tairua Field Centre, Red Ridge Rd PO Box 34 Tairua, Phone:
++ 64 7 864 8763.
- Department of Conservation - Kauaeranga Visitor Centre,
Kauaeranga Valley, PO Box 78, Thames. Phone ++ 64 7 867 9080.
- Downtown Auckland, Quay Street, Ferry Building, Phone ++
64 9 379 6476.
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