Puketi Forest

North of Kerikeri on State Highway 10, Puketi Forest and the associated Omahutu Forest are together one of the largest areas of native forest in the North.

For the visitor, this means easy forest walks in a giant reserve, looked after by a conservation trust, actively raising funds and trying to rid the area of introduced pests.

While many of the kauri trees have been logged in the past, the area still contains over 10 percent of the total mature kauri trees in New Zealand. The forest is also an important breeding place for the endangered kokako and has many kaka, North Island and brown kiwi. Several bush walks start from the forest headquarters. The Nature Trail is particularly rewarding.

It takes about two hours and traverses a variety of forest. Eleven “stations” along the track cover forest regeneration and specialised adaptation to site conditions. As well, extensive labelling explains the various flora species encountered. Just north of the forest headquarters on the Waiare Road is the entrance to the Manginanghina Scenic Reserve.

There are two short walks through the reserve, one taking ten minutes, the other, 20 minutes. Also on Waiare Road is a five-minute walk down through the bush to a kauri dam typical of those used in the early kauri milling days. In all areas light footwear is suitable and all walks are suitable for all ages.

PUKETI RAINFOREST GUIDED WALKS

Image Credits: Albert Renn and Edward Watson