On our way back from Bay of Islands we drove along the Kauri coast. We wanted to drive through natives forests and especially wanted to see the giant kauri trees. We went on a couple of little hikes.
This tree bellow is called Tane Mahuta. It is the largest known living kauri tree. It is estimated to be between 1200-2500 years old.
Tane is the Maori god of the forest. According to Maori mythology Tane is the son of Ranginui, the sky father and Papatuanku, the earth mother. Tane was the child that tore apart his parent's embrace and then clothed his father with stars and his mother with the forest and birds. All living creatures are regarded as Tane's children. Tane is also Trent's middle name so we offered him up to the tree with whom he shares a name sake Lion King style.
