The Refuge for Rare New Zealand Wild Life

Located in the Northland Region occupying 25 square kilo meters and neighboring the forests of Mataraua and Waima, the “Waipoua Forest” is home for most preserved kauri trees remaining in the country. Also it mainly houses the a huge population of North Island brown kiwi and endangered North Island kokako birds.

The forest is well known for its remaining three largest living kauris in spite of the loss of main natural forest features due to fire and saw. To avoid further deforestation the forest it is currently being well protected by the Department of Conservation. Also the forest consists of fine walking tracks to be accessible for people who would love to be pleased by its main attractions. And from the high way SH12 one can see the beauty of gigantic kauri trees and other magnificent views of widespread attractions.

One of the main features of the forest is the splendid forest sanctuary which was created in 1952 as a sub-tropical rainforest with rare flora and fauna, kauris and a large population of brown kiwis of New Zealand. The Kauri is slow growing and some are even 2000 years old with a height of 60 meters and a trunk of 5 meters in diameter. The most important tree or the father oh the forest “Te Matua Ngahere” can be found with the Four Sisters which is a beautiful collection of another four kauris, at a short drive and a 10 minute walk from the main road. The trunk of the Father of the forest is over 5 meters wide and considered to have the widest girth in New Zealand.

While moving ahead on the main road, one can find “the Lord of the Forest” standing pretty close to the road as the largest Kauri in New Zealand. Believed to be 1,200 years old, the tree has grown up to more than 52 meters. Apart from that, the forest houses mostly threatened wildlife in New Zealand. For instance North Island kokako, an almost extinct of birds can be found in the wet highland country. But even here a small part of its population is exposed to predators. Also native forest parrots, kakas and kakarikis are having their refugees in here. Also the forest is home for kukupa, native New Zealand pigeon that is acting as a good mediator spreading seeds of plants.

Further more the area is accessible to even fine accommodation with premier New Zealand hotels including Hokianga hotels playing a major role as a leading lodging facility provider in the region.