“Something of the beauty and natural mystery of Manaia mountain can be seen here. Little wonder that Manaia is the main ancestral mountain for the tribes living in the Whāngārei area. It is named after one of the earliest ancestors.” – courtesy www.teara.govt.nz

Ancient buried kauri forest – These ancient kauri logs were once part of a vast forest that grew at the site [Aupouri Peninsula] over 45,000 years ago. An even older kauri forest was discovered on this site in the 1890’s by early settlers searching for kauri gum/amber, that had been buried and preserved 100,000 plus years ago. These ancient logs are found nowhere else on Earth. Gumdiggers Park is an authentic Kauri Gum digging site over 100 years old. Maori, European & Dalmatian people formed this now forgotten gum digging culture and provided the basis for one of the biggest industrial booms in New Zealand’s history.

More details at www.gumdiggerspark.co.nz.

Ross wing and gum room: Magnificent timber panels, carvings and early pioneer photographs. Downstairs is the world’s best kauri gum display.

Sterling wing: A quality six room c.1900 home. Fully furnished, original decor, dressed models and a fascinating insight.

Steam sawmill: A real mill showing how logs were sawn into timber. Moving saws, flat belts, countershafts, pulleys and steam engines. Life-like mannequins represent local settler families. Also, on display are operational machinery used in those times.

The kauri museum is north of Auckland at Matakohe. It is enroute to the Giant Kauri trees in Waipoua Forest on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway. The award winning Kauri Museum tells the story of our pioneering settlers though the lens of the Kauri Industry. The museum specialises in the legacy of our Kauri Forests; specifically the strong durable timber and the highly prized Kauri Gum.

Refer www.kaurimuseum.com for details.

-Gaurav Sharma