- Tāne Mahuta
Tāne Mahuta is a giant kauri tree ("Agathis australis") in the
Waipoua Forest ofNorthland Region ,New Zealand .The tree's Māori name means "Lord of the Forest" (see
Tāne ), and is the name of a god in the Māori pantheon. Tāne Mahuta is the most massive kauri known to stand today. It is 51 metres (169 feet) in height, and has a circumference of 13.8 metres (45 feet). There is no proof of the tree's age, but it is estimated to be between 1250 and 2500 years old.Tane Mahuta has the following measurements: [cite web | publisher = Department of Conservation | url = http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=36973 | title = Tane Mahuta Track | accessdate = 2007-03-29 ]
Trunk Girth 13.77 m,Trunk Height 17.68 m,Total Height 51.2 m,Trunk Volume 244.5 m³,Total Volume including the crown 516.7 m³ [cite web | publisher = The Gymnosperm Database | url = http://www.conifers.org/ar/ag/australis.html | title = Agathis australis | accessdate = 2008-08-29 ] .
The tree is a remnant of the ancient subtropical
rainforest that once grew on theNorth Auckland Peninsula . Other giant kauri is to be found nearby, notablyTe Matua Ngahere .It is the oldest and the most famous tree in New Zealand.It is thought this tree was discovered and identified in the 1920’s when contractors surveyed the present State Highway 12 through the forest. In 1928 Nicholas Yakas and other Bushmen, who were building the road, also identified the tree.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.
References
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