“I think that I shall never see a walk more lovely than one featuring New Zealand’s unique variety of trees,” as famous American poet Joyce Kilmer didn’t write. But if he’d been to New Zealand, walking across the country to see the trees on offer, and learned a little about their quirks and stories – he certainly would have. Take Waipoua Forest’s ‘Tane Mahuta’, or ‘Lord of the Forest’, the largest Kauri tree in New Zealand, standing at fifty-two metres high. It’s estimated to be over one thousand years old. Now that’s the sort of tree Kilmer was thinking of.

Unique New Zealand

With a history of long geological isolation, most of New Zealand’s flora is actually unique, and often breathtakingly beautiful. A wide variety of native trees have adapted to the micro-climates all across the country – meaning wherever you feel like travelling to in New Zealand, walking from the subtropical Kauri forests of North Island to the alpine forest of (you guessed it) the Southern Alps, there’s a tree for the occasion.

The Rimu and Totara trees

One of New Zealand’s most beautiful trees, the Rimu tree has seen plenty of ramblers and walkers pass it by – this type of tree can live for eight to nine centuries. With hanging branches giving it a ‘weeping’ appearance, it’s a perfect place for a rest in the shade beneath a tree you’ll only find in New Zealand. Walking further, you might come to a Totara tree – and you’ll know it by its height. The Totara tree can reach up to thirty metres, and sometimes older trees even reach thirty five metres, which is about as high as a ten-story building. Recent research has shown that bats native to New Zealand forests actively hunt out the largest and oldest trees in which to make their roosts, though their numbers are low.

The Ngaio trees

If you’re dead set on a long New Zealand walking trip, there are a few things you’re advised to take with you – plenty of water, sturdy shoes or boots, and of course the always-necessary insect repellent. But on a long trek, don’t panic when you run out! The Maori tribe perfected their insect repellent a long time before it was standard advice, rubbing crushed leaves from the Ngaio tree on their skin to repel those pesky insects. Chewing the leaves would also stop toothache, if your jaw begins aching from sugary energy-boosters.

Legends of the Ngaio

But the Ngaio tree is famous for more than its medicinal properties. According to Maori legend, a Ngaio tree can be seen on the moon, after the moon-goddess reached down to place a woman (and the Ngaio tree she desperately clung to) on the moon for her disrespect towards the goddess, so that she could be seen in the night sky as an example over all of New Zealand. Walking under the moon on a night-time journey, it’s something to consider! And, of course, being respectful to the moon-goddess is a tourist tip you won’t find in many places.

Barking up the wrong forest

Just be sure to consider a guided tour, or take a little while to carefully plan out your journey, and hopefully a relaxing break afterwards. After all, with such striking forested areas, it’s easy to become distracted from a set walking destination or goal. But with the recent efforts to introduce measures for conserving forested areas in New Zealand, walking amongst the forest has never been more enjoyable – and will hopefully allow many walkers to enjoy the unique trees of New Zealand. After all, sometimes you can’t see the trees for the wood!

Author Bio: Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. They offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in over 90 different countries. While in New Zealand walking with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you will see scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.

Category: Travel
Keywords: New Zealand Walking