Kauri trees of different sizes, tūī birds, kererū (NZ woodpigeons), – and the feeling of nature in the middle of New Zealand’s biggest city.
It is amazing what the reserves in Auckland offer. The new Kauri Glen Reserve in Birkenhead is a fine example of these kinds of oasis.
The pathways and bridges are wide enough to walk in pairs and allow others to pass. When people are asking other passers-by to take a picture, they get talking, and so it was no surprise to meet people of at least 5 different nationalities within 5 minutes. There is a special atmosphere when you walk through a kauri reserve. The huge trees make you look small, and people seem to be friendly to each other. A little chitchat, a smile, a helping hand but no noise.
The most fascinating and audacious project of the reserve must have been the 60m treetop boardwalk surrounded by mature kauri and tānekaha. While the previous trail through the reserve led the visitors through ups and downs, this boardwalk is 18 metres above the ground and is like a bridge that gives you the chance to see some of the trees from a bird’s view: tree ferns spreading out their branches in such a balanced way that they look like the most beautiful umbrellas.
In many cultures, the trees are considered sacred – especially when they are so big that we can’t see the top of these trees. We don’t see their roots, and we don’t see their top which makes them the perfect link between heaven and earth. They are often described as being majestic which fits to the term ‘crown’ for the upper part of the tree.
The kauri trees are among the most ancient trees, and the older ones have a whole ecosystem in their upper part. They are so special that the largest living kauri tree is called Tāne Mahuta, the ‘God of the Forest’. It is named after Tāne, the Māori god of forests and of birds.
Let’s hope that the visitors will remain fascinated and grateful for this reserve and do their best to protect the beautiful kauri and tānekaha trees. Did you know that there are 10 rules to protect the kauri trees?
Let’s summarise the 3 key points to protect kauri trees:
1. Use the cleaning stations as instructed.
2. Stay on the designated pathways.
3. Report kauri trees that look unhealthy.
BM
