Standing Tall, Standing Together
Wander into the ngahere (forest) of the upper North Island and you will likely find yourself among kauri trees – towering giants whose roots stretch wide, anchored deep in the whenua (land). Their presence is a reminder of resilience and the natural beauty of Aotearoa.
Kauri are woven into the landscape of Te Tara-o-te-Ika a Māui (the Coromandel Peninsula) standing as living links between the past and present. Despite the toll of the logging era from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, mature stands remain across the rohe (region) including Waiau Grove, Square Kauri, Wai-o-umu Kauri Grove, Te Puru, Cookson Kauri, and the Twin Kauri.
1: Te Puru track post track upgrades © Blair Quax. 2: Mark II cleaning station at the entrance to Te Piringa/the Cascades track in the Waitäkere Ranges. 3:
Track upgrades on the Pinnacles Summit track, Kauaeranga Valley.
These ancient trees are more than just forest giants – for Māori, they’re whakapapa, they’re taonga. Kauri carry stories of the land and are a sign of general well-being of the ngahere and people. But they need our help.
Kauri dieback disease, or Phytophthora agathidicida, is a microscopic pathogen living in the soil which attacks the roots of kauri, slowly starving the trees of nutrients and water. While there is no known cure, there is hope.
Kauri are ecological engineers, shaping the environment around them. They change the soil, provide protection from erosion and flooding, and are a kāinga (home) for indigenous species. This means kauri dieback doesn’t just threaten the trees, but also the life they sustain.
Hauraki Community Ranger, Shania Hills, says kauri protection is at the heart of much of DOC’s mahi, supported by Tiakina Kauri (a kauri protection programme), iwi/hapū, council, and communities.
“We all have a role in protecting kauri and it doesn’t take much – clean your boots and gear before and after visiting the bush and stay on the tracks. It’s small actions that make a big difference.”
A recent hui (gathering) at Te Waonui-o-Tiriwa (The Great Forest of Tiriwa – in the Waitākere Ranges) brought together iwi partners and agencies, including DOC, for a glimpse of the devastating impact of kauri dieback. In this region, one in five kauri are infected – a stark contrast to the low infection rates in the Coromandel. The visit was a reminder of the disease’s toll on kauri, but also of the strength and commitment of communities, iwi, and agencies working together to safeguard the ngahere.
1: Twin Kauri at Waiau Kauri Grove lookout walk © Shellie Evans. 2. Square kauri © Blair Quax, DOC. 3. Waiau Kauri Photo Credit Shellie Evans
“Across the rohe, people are stepping up. Every boot scrubbed, every pest animal removed, and every track upgraded helps keep our kauri safe for future generations. It’s not just about the trees – it’s about connection. When people care for kauri, they’re also caring for the whole forest.”
We all have a role in protecting the ecosystems and species that make Aotearoa unique.
It’s simple, but so important:
- Clean your boots and gear before and after visiting the ngahere.
- Use cleaning stations – they’re there to protect kauri.
- Stay on marked tracks to avoid spreading disease.
- Respect rāhui and closures.
- Share the message – talk to your friends and whānau (family).
With manaaki (care), community and commitment, we can keep kauri standing for generations to come.
For more information on kauri protection, visit: www.doc.govt.nz or: www.kauriprotection.co.nz
Photo: A forest giant at Te Puru kauri grove. Photo Credit: Blair Quax
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