tane mahuta

Tāne Mahuta, the biggest kauri tree alive, in the Waipoua Forest of Northland Region, New Zealand

Tāne Mahuta is a giant kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest of Northland Region, New Zealand. Its age is
unknown but is estimated to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years. It is the largest kauri known to stand today.
It is named for the Māori god of forests and of birds (see Tāne). Other giant kauri are found nearby the
three sisters. Tāne Mahuta is the most famous tree in New Zealand, along with the three sisters.
It was discovered and identified in early January 1924 when contractors surveyed the present
State Highway 12 route through the forest. In 1928 Nicholas Yakas and other bushmen, who were building
the road, also identified the tree.

During the New Zealand drought of 2013, 10,000 litres of water from a nearby stream was diverted to
Tāne Mahuta, which was showing signs of dehydration.

In 2018, the tree was threatened by kauri dieback, a generally fatal disease which has already infected
nearby kauri trees. DOC initiated a plan to protect and save the tree from kauri dieback