An ancient kauri tree, believed to have been flattened by shockwaves from the Taupō eruption, has found a new home at Whitford Landfill thanks to a collaborative effort between WM New Zealand, Waste Disposal Services, and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.
The impressive specimen, measuring over 15 metres in length and weighing 21 tonnes when first discovered, was unearthed during culvert ground improvement works along the Southern Motorway near Papakura in May 2023.
"This kauri represents an incredible piece of our natural and cultural history," explains Zaelene Maxwell-Butler of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki. "Finding a suitable place to store this precious taonga has been extremely challenging. On behalf of my iwi, we are deeply grateful for the genuine relationship fostered over the past few years with WM New Zealand & Waste Disposal Services. Your willingness to work alongside Ngāi Tai and support our request reflects true manaakitanga and the value of our partnership."
Experts believe the kauri was flattened during the Taupō eruption around 232 AD. This major volcanic event devastated much of the North Island, with ash detected as far as 5,000 kilometres away.
The tree had remained preserved underground for nearly 1,800 years before being discovered between the Papakura interchange and the Park Estate Road bridge named Tū te Ao Tū te Pō.
For Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, kauri trees hold deep cultural significance. These magnificent trees were once dominant in the ancient landscapes of Whitford and surrounding areas, providing vital resources for building seafaring waka and harvesting gum for daily needs.
The name "Kauriwhakiwhaki" (meaning "plucking of the kauri") remains in the landscape as the last recorded Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki name for what is now the Beachlands area, a reminder of the widespread felling of these treasured trees following European settlement.
"Finding a suitable place to store this precious taonga has been extremely challenging. On behalf of my iwi, we are deeply grateful for the genuine relationship fostered over the past few years with WM New Zealand & Waste Disposal Services. Your willingness to work alongside Ngāi Tai and support our request reflects true manaakitanga and the value of our partnership."
Zaelene Maxwell-Butler
Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki
Following its initial recovery by Fulton Hogan, the kauri had remained in a highway yard for a couple of years. Due to further development work, a new home was needed, which is where our team at Whitford Landfill stepped in to help.
The long-term plan for this taonga includes constructing a roof shelter to allow it to dry out properly. In the years to come, Zaelene envisions the kauri will provide elements for a new seafaring waka for her iwi, or if that's not possible, it will likely be carved into a pou (carved post).
By hosting this significant artifact within the cultural landscapes of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, WM New Zealand is proud to support the preservation of this important piece of natural and cultural heritage for future generations.
