The Siamese Kauri is a kauri tree (Agathis australis) growing in Kauri Grove, about 10 kilometres south of Coromandel township in the north-east of the North Island of New Zealand. The tree gains its name from the conjoined lower trunk that the two trees share. It grows in the Kauri Grove, one of the few remaining stands of mature kauri on the Coromandel Peninsula. It is about 500 metres off the 309 Road, and is accessed by a 30-minute walking track. [1] [2]
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The tree began as two separate seedlings. Over the centuries they grew in diameter, and the space between them reduced until eventually the two trees fused at the base. It is not known why the Siamese Kauri, and other trees of the same species in Kauri Grove were never felled, unlike almost all the kauri of the Coromandel Peninsula. One suggestion is that the land was controlled by mining companies that hoped to find gold in the area, and so access to the land was restricted.[ citation needed ]
During World War II, Kauri Grove was due to be logged by the Government to support the war effort. This met with strong opposition from the residents, who formed one of New Zealand's first conservation groups to save the trees. After much opposition to the plans, the message came from the capital that "logging will cease forthwith".[ citation needed ]
Great Barrier Island lies in the outer Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, 100 kilometres (62 mi) north-east of central Auckland. With an area of 285 square kilometres (110 sq mi) it is the sixth-largest island of New Zealand and fourth-largest in the main chain. Its highest point, Mount Hobson, is 627 metres (2,057 ft) above sea level. The local authority is the Auckland Council.
Agathis australis, commonly known by its Māori name kauri, is a coniferous tree in the family Araucariaceae, found north of 38°S in the northern regions of New Zealand's North Island.
Powelliphanta is a genus of large, air-breathing land snails, pulmonate gastropods in the family Rhytididae, found only in New Zealand. They are carnivorous, eating invertebrates, mostly native earthworms. Often restricted to very small areas of moist forest, they are prey to introduced mammalian predators, and many species are threatened or endangered.
Waipoua Forest is a forest, on the west coast of the Northland Region of New Zealand's North Island. It preserves some of the best examples of kauri forest remaining in New Zealand. It is notable for having two of the largest living kauri trees, Tāne Mahuta and Te Matua Ngahere.
The Mercury Islands are a group of seven islands off the northeast coast of New Zealand's North Island. They are located 8 kilometres (5 mi) off the coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, and 35 kilometres (22 mi) northeast of the town of Whitianga.
Rotoroa Island is an island to the east of Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. It covers 82 hectares. The Salvation Army purchased it for £400 in 1908 from the Ruthe family to expand their alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility at nearby Pakatoa Island. Men were treated at Home Bay at Rotoroa, while women were treated at Pakatoa. This treatment facility was closed in 2005.
Manaia is a locality on the western side of the Coromandel Peninsula of New Zealand. It lies to the east of State Highway 25, south of Coromandel and north of Tapu. The Manaia River flows from the Coromandel Range through the area and into the Manaia Harbour to the west. The harbour contains mussel farms.
The 309 Road is a 22-kilometre (14 mi) gravel road between the towns of Coromandel and Whitianga in New Zealand. It winds its way from Coromandel, on the west side of the Coromandel Peninsula, over the ranges to Whitianga, on the eastern side. There are two theories as to how it got its name: one is that there are 309 bends in the road, the other is that horse-drawn coaches used to take 309 minutes to travel it.
The Manaia River is a river of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand's North Island. It flows north from its sources in the Coromandel Range, reaching the Hauraki Gulf at Manaia Harbour, 10 kilometres (6 mi) southwest of Coromandel.
The Tapu River is a river of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand's North Island. It flows west from the Coromandel Range, reaching the Firth of Thames at the settlement of Tapu, approximately halfway between Thames and Coromandel.
The Te Mata River is a river of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand's North Island. It flows west to reach the Firth of Thames at the small settlement of Te Mata, 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of Coromandel.
The Driving Creek Railway is a narrow gauge bush and mountain railway on the outskirts of the provincial town of Coromandel on the northwestern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula on New Zealand's North Island. The railway leads up the mountain to a viewing platform building 165 m high above the surrounding Coromandel west coast country.
The ornate skink, Oligosoma ornatum, is a rare species of skink endemic to New Zealand. This species was once widespread through much of the North Island and on many offshore islands in the Hauraki Gulf and north of the Coromandel Peninsula. Habitat destruction and predation by introduced species has now reduced their range to scattered localities throughout the North Island as far south as Wellington, as well as on the Three Kings Islands, Great Barrier Island, and a few other offshore islands.
The Square Kauri is an estimated 1,200 year old kauri tree in the Coromandel Range on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. It is the 15th largest kauri on the peninsula
Mokoroa Falls is a waterfall located between Muriwai and the Waitākere Ranges in Auckland's west coast in New Zealand. It is located in the Goldie Bush Scenic Reserve.
Kauaeranga Valley is a valley created by the Kauaeranga River, which flows from the Coromandel Range southwest to the Firth of Thames at Thames, New Zealand in the North Island. It contains the settlement of Kauaeranga on the Coromandel Peninsula. It is located near Thames, in the Thames-Coromandel District in the Waikato region. It covers a land area of 180.51 km2.
Whangaparapara is a harbour and coastal community on Great Barrier Island in New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf.
The Goldie Bush Scenic Reserve, also known as Goldies Bush and Te Taiapa, is a forested area of West Auckland, New Zealand. Located south-east of Muriwai, the reserve is home to the Mokoroa Falls.