Resources
Tree/Wood Types
Kauri (Agathis Australis)
The kauri is part of an elite group of trees around the world that are commonly known as the ancient trees because of the time it takes for these trees to reach maturity.
A massive tree, up to 30m high with an unbranched straight trunk for perhaps two-thirds of its height.
The tree is estimated to live up to 3000 – 4000 years. Both male and female cones are found on the same branch, surrounded by thick, dark green leaves.Kauri is a semi-hard timber which makes it ideal for canoe construction.
Totara (Podocarpus totara)
Another of the ancient trees which has it's own preservative oil making it long lasting and ideal for carving.
After the kauri, the totara may be the longest living tree of New Zealand's forest, reaching an age of 1000 years or more. It grows to 30 m high with a trunk of 2 m across.
Because of its soft, light wood and the required length, totara was the prima choice for Maori for their war canoes. Its thick brown bark peels off in long strips and was ideal as a splint for broken limbs as well as for basket weaving and torches . Male and female flower cones are on separate trees.
Matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia)
Matai used to be an important timber tree, reaching 30 m with an straight trunk of 1.3 m across and reddish coloured wood. The male and female flowers are borne on long yellow spikes that can cover the whole tree canopy in Spring.
Used for carving feather boxes, tops, trays and canoe prows.This is one of our harder timbers and seems to get harder as it ages which makes it ideal for musical instruments because it retains it's resonance.
Rimu (Dacrydium cupressium)
A tree which reaches 20 – 35 m and a trunk of 1.5 m across. With its pendulous foliage rimu is a graceful and beautiful tree at all stages of growth. Red cones appear on the curved tips of the branches in season.This timber like matai becomes extremely hard and was used primarily in the construction of houses in earlier timesbut today is good for musical instruments.
Maire
One of our hardest timbers and used in the manufacture of weapons.
Rata
This tree starts it's life as a vine which envelops another tree and because of it's parsitic nature gradually takes over the host tree.Another of our extremely hard timbers and used in the manufacture of weaponry.
