Photo: Te Matua Ngahere Waipoua Forest New Zealand

The Te Matua Ngahere, a giant Kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest on the North Island of New Zealand is an amazing sight when seen up close.

This giant Kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest on the North Island of New Zealand was named by the Maori people as the Te Matua Ngahere. Translated to "Father of the Forest", it is not the tallest tree in the Waipoua Forest but it does have the largest circumference of any known tree in the Southern Hemisphere.

An accurate lifespan of the Te Matua Ngahere is not known but a good estimate is that it is around 2000 years old. Towering above many of the other trees in the Waipoua Forest as it is the second largest, the sunlight gleams through the lush green branches to the forest floor below.

Another Kauri Tree called the Tane Mahuta stands near the Te Matua Ngahere which is much taller but its circumference is not as big. The Te Mata Ngahere has a trunk girth of 16.41 meters and a trunk height of approximately 10.21 meters.

To view this massive tree growing in an ancient rain forest of New Zealand, follow Highway 12 through the Waipoua Forest Conservation Estate until you reach the car park. ... continue below the picture...

This picture is part of the photo album "Tree Pictures" - there are more beautiful images waiting for you.

... From here, follow the sign saying "Te Matua Ngahere" and follow the track for approximately twenty minutes. An easy walk even for strollers that is well surfaced and then suddenly, out of nowhere, these massive trees will tower above you.

Signs are posted to stay along the pathways to avoid causing any damage to the Waipoua Forest or the roots of the Te Matua Ngahere. An amazing journey that you will not regret while visiting the North Island of New Zealand.

Te Matua Ngahere, Father of the Forest, along a bush walk in Waipoua Forest, Northland, North Island, New Zealand. Girth 16.41 metres, Trunk Volume 208.1 cubic metres, Total Height 29.9 metres, Trunk Height 10.21 metres.