Te Matua Ngahere facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Te Matua Ngahere |
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Te Matua Ngahere
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 Te Matua Ngahere
Location in New Zealand
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| Species | Kauri (Agathis australis) |
| Coordinates | 35°36′27″S 173°31′43″E / 35.60750°S 173.52861°E |
| Height | 29.9 m (98 ft) |
| Girth | 16.41 m (53.8 ft) |
| Volume of trunk | 208.1 m3 (7,350 cu ft) |
Te Matua Ngahere is a huge kauri tree found in the Waipoua Forest in New Zealand. Its name in the Māori language means "Father of the Forest." This special tree is not as tall as its famous neighbor, Tāne Mahuta. However, Te Matua Ngahere is much wider. Its trunk measures over 16 metres (52 ft) around!
Many people believe it is the second largest living kauri tree. It also has the biggest trunk of any kauri tree in New Zealand. Some reports even say it has the largest trunk of any tree in the whole country.
Nobody knows exactly how old Te Matua Ngahere is. Experts guess it could be anywhere from 1,200 to 4,000 years old. Some even think it might be the oldest tree in New Zealand. Others suggest it could be the oldest rainforest tree on Earth!
The Māori people deeply respect Te Matua Ngahere. Local Māori Guardians help protect it. This tree is a living piece of an ancient rainforest that once covered the Northland Peninsula. It shares its space with other plants like orchids, clubmoss, and even a rata tree that grew on it.
Sadly, Te Matua Ngahere was badly damaged in July 2007. Strong winter storms hit Northland. The rata tree growing on top of Te Matua Ngahere fell during the storm. It broke off the tree's main top branch and several other branches. This event likely shortened the tree's life by hundreds of years.
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Discovering Te Matua Ngahere
This ancient tree is a natural treasure of New Zealand. Most people agree it is over 1,500 years old. It was first discovered in February 1937.
Forest experts believe such trees can live for about 4,000 years. However, the 2007 storm damage will likely make Te Matua Ngahere's life shorter. The fallen rata tree and other plants from the storm are now helping scientists. They offer clues for studying the forest's ecology.
Where to Find Te Matua Ngahere
Te Matua Ngahere is located in the Waipoua Forest Reserve. This forest is very important around the world. It is part of the largest remaining native forests in New Zealand's Northland region. The closest town is Wekaweka, about 25.2 kilometres (15.7 mi) away.
The tree stands in a clear, open area. To reach it, you drive along State Highway 12 through the Waipoua Forest. You will find a car park close to the tree's location. From there, it's about a 20-minute walk. The path is well-kept with boardwalks and clear signs.
These boardwalks are important. They protect the tree's roots from people walking on them. Kauri tree roots are very sensitive to being stepped on often. So, it's best to stay on the path to help these trees live a long time.
The walk through the forest is educational. You can see many types of trees, including kauri and podocarps. You will also spot plants like kauri grass, kiekie, neinei, and ferns. A viewing tower offers great views of the thick forest. This ancient tree is said to be home to 50 different plant species that grow on it.
The biggest tree in this forest is Tāne Mahuta. It is named after the Māori god of the forests. Tāne Mahuta is located north of Te Matua Ngahere. While it is very tall, Te Matua Ngahere is more striking because of its huge trunk. Nearby, you can also see a group of four trees growing close together, called the "Four Sisters."
Waipoua Forest Reserve
The Waipoua Forest is home to the largest kauri trees and the biggest area of untouched kauri forest. In 1952, the Waipoua Forest was made a sanctuary. This stopped logging operations there. It is the largest remaining part of the huge kauri forests that once covered northern New Zealand. Te Matua Ngahere is found here.
An 18 kilometres (11 mi) road goes through the forest. Along the road, you can see medium-sized kauri trees that are 40 metres (130 ft) tall and 5 metres (16 ft) wide. A place called Toatoa Point gives excellent views of the forest. The Park Visitor Information Centre shares facts about kauri trees, the gum industry, and native birds and wildlife. The car park for Te Matua Ngahere is about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from this Visitor Centre.
How Big is Te Matua Ngahere?
The trunk of Te Matua Ngahere is about 5.2 metres (17 ft) wide. It hardly gets narrower for the first 10 meters above a person's chest height. With an estimated volume of 208.1 m3 (7,350 cu ft), it has the second biggest trunk by volume. The biggest tree by volume is Tāne Mahuta, also in the Waipoua Forest, with a volume of 244 m3 (8,600 cu ft).
Here are its measurements:
| Trunk girth | 16.41 m (53.8 ft) |
| Trunk height | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| Total height | 29.9 m (98 ft) |
| Trunk volume | 208.1 m3 (7,350 cu ft) |
Please note: All these measurements were taken in 1971. You can find the most recent measurements on the New Zealand Tree Register.
Visiting Te Matua Ngahere
About 50,000 people visit Te Matua Ngahere every year. To help stop the spread of a disease called kauri dieback, visitors must clean their shoes. There are wash stations before and after entering the forest. It is also very important to stay on the marked paths. This helps protect the trees from the disease.
See also
In Spanish: Te Matua Ngahere para niños
