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Visit NZ's Podocarp Forests - Presentation

List of interesting NZ podocarp forests to visit, including location, access, tracks and more.

Document created 18 June 2003, last updated 31 July 2003

The living legacy of a distant past The podocarp-hardwood forests are found at low altitude throughout the country, except in the drier eastern parts of the South Island. In their undisturbed state they are luxuriant and often present a distinctly tropical character, with their dense undergrowth of shrubs, ferns, tree-ferns, lianas and epiphytes. Hardwood species such as tawa and kamahi form the canopy, while the tall podocarps soar high above it. The presence and distribution of the various species of podocarp trees depends on a variety of factors including local conditions of soil and climate and past volcanic activity. These trees, especially rimu, totara and kahikatea, can live to be very old and reach huge dimensions. One of the largest living totara, near Pureora Forest Park, has a diameter of 3.63 m (11.9 '), and is estimated to be 1500 years old.
REGION: NORTHLAND
Northland Forest Park: Forest park in several blocks: Waipoua, Puketi-Omahuta, Warawara, Russell, Mangamuka, Herekino, Marlborough, Kaihu, Tangihua. These forests are famous for their kauris, but they are rich in podocarp and broadleaf species. Short walks in Waipoua, Puketi-Omahuta and Russell Forests.

REGION: AUCKLAND
Waitakere Ranges Regional Park Podocarp-broadleaf forest dominates the ranges, with many fine tracts, usually regenerating. The canopy species include rewarewa, mahoe, tawa, taraire, pururi, and kohekohe. Rimu is the most common of the emergents. There are many walks to discover the diverse nature of the forest, in the coastal areas as well as inland.

Hunua Ranges Regional Park Tawa is dominant among the canopy species there. A range of tracks and walks is available.

COROMANDEL PENINSULA
Coromandel Forest Park: Forest park in several blocks, covering most of the axial zone of the peninsula, from Moehau in the north to the Karangahake Gorge in the south. Kauri and podocarp-broadleaf forest, mostly regenerating, with some unlogged areas. A choice of fine short walks.

REGION: WAIKATO
Pirongia Forest Park: Located at the limit between northern and southern forests, the park contains no kauri or beech. The vegetation is rich, ranging from lowland podocarp forest to dense subalpine scrub and kaikawaka (mountain cedar) forest. A fairly easy walk leads to the tallest known kahikatea in New Zealand (67 m).

Pureora Forest Park: The park is one of the most significant remnants of the podocarp forests than once covered most of the North Island. Contains very large trees, especially totara. Large tracts of unlogged forest. A few fine short walks.

REGION: BAY OF PLENTY
Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park: Podocarp/hardwood forest in the north. Some relict kauri as well.

Whirinaki Forest Park: With Pureora and Urewera National Park, this park includes the best lowland podocarp forest in the North Island, mostly in its original state. Magnificent examples of large mature podocarps. A few fine short and medium walks.

Urewera National Park: This is the largest area of untouched native forest in the North Island. Forest types vary with altitude and location, from lowland podocarp-broadleaf forest in the north and west, to podocarp-beech associations, and to pure beech at highest altitudes. Several short and medium walks.

REGION: HAWKES BAY
Northern Maungaharuru reserves: Four reserves in the Maungaharuru range area, approximately 1 1/2 hours drive north of Napier. Diverse native forest, mostly podocarp-broadleaf, home to native birds. A number of good short walks through the forest, and fine views over Hawkes Bay as well as the surrounding ranges, all the way to Ruapehu on clear days. Other interesting features include Lake Opouahi, eroded limestone (karst) formations, and Shines Waterfall (58 m/190') at Boundary Stream Scenic Reserve. Boundary Stream is one of the country's 'mainland islands' where exotic flora and fauna species are managed in order to re-establish native species.

Puketitiri Reserves: Four reserves located near the eastern boundary of Kaweka Forest Park, north-east of Napier. They include fine stands of mature as well as regenerating native forest, mostly podocarp-broadleaf. Numerous native forest birds, as well as colonies of the native long-tailed bat. A choice of short walks.

Maraetotara Plateau Four reserves located south-east of Havelock North. They include fine stands of podocarp and broadleaf forest and several tracks provide for short walks.

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