Tane Mahuta

Stand in the presence of a living legend with Great North Tours at Waipoua Forest, home to the awe-inspiring Tāne Mahuta, the "Lord of the Forest." As New Zealand’s largest living Kauri tree, this majestic giant is estimated to be up to 2,500 years old, standing over 51 meters tall with a massive 14-meter girth. A short walk through the primeval rainforest brings you face-to-face with this silent sentinel, whose life began long before the first humans arrived in Aotearoa. Deeply sacred in Māori tradition, Tāne Mahuta represents the god who separated the Earth and Sky to bring light to the world. To protect this ancient treasure from Kauri Dieback disease, please use the provided foot-cleaning stations. Whether you are marveling at its sheer scale or feeling the spiritual energy of the bush, a visit to Tāne Mahuta is a encounter with the soul of New Zealand's natural heritage.