Discover the Kauri Museum in Northland
The Kauri Museum is a must-visit attraction located along the Kauri Coast in Northland, New Zealand. It is signposted at the Matakohe turn-off from State Highway 12, with parking and access available on Church Road. Nearby, visitors will find a historic church, a post office, and one of the few cafés along this route.
The Historical Significance of Kauri Forests
For European settlers, the kauri forests were a vital resource. These ancient forests once spanned from the north Waikato and the Coromandel to the Far North of Te Tai Tokerau. Kauri timber was instrumental in constructing early Auckland, Royal Navy ship masts, and various consumer goods. Additionally, kauri gum was highly valued for producing high-quality varnish and was widely exported. As the forests dwindled, extensive efforts were made to excavate buried gum deposits.
Exhibits and Collections at the Kauri Museum
The Kauri Museum excels in narrating the history of these forests. It features a life-size exhibition detailing the process of transforming a tree into lumber. Visitors can explore extensive collections of artefacts and photographs that showcase various aspects of the kauri industry. The museum's dioramas, depicting settler homes and business life, are among the most detailed and impressive in any New Zealand museum.
The Decline of Kauri Forests
The museum also highlights the significant loss of kauri forests. Today, these ancient trees, which are unique to the northern part of the North Island, cover only about 4% of the area they occupied in 1840. Notably, the largest trees today, Tāne Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere in Waipoua Forest, are not the largest ever recorded. Over the past 200 years, several larger trees have fallen due to natural events. The museum features a striking graphic that compares the trunk dimensions of today's giants to those of the past.
How to Get There
To visit the Kauri Museum, take the well-signposted turn-off to Matakohe from State Highway 12. The museum is located on Church Road, where parking is available. It is situated across from a historic church and post office, providing a convenient stop along the Kauri Coast.
