Tāne Mahuta

{{short description|Largest known individual kauri tree}}

{{about|the particular individual tree in New Zealand|the Māori god sometimes known as Tāne Mahuta, after whom the tree is named|Tāne}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}

{{Infobox tree

| name = Tāne Mahuta

| image = 00 29 0496 Waipoua Forest NZ - Kauri Baum Tane Mahuta.jpg

| image_caption = Tāne Mahuta, the biggest kauri tree alive, in the Waipoua Forest of Northland Region, New Zealand

| image_size = 200

| map = New Zealand

| label_position = left

| relief = 1

| map_size = 200

| coordinates = {{Coord|35|36|04|S|173|31|38|E|source:dewiki_region:NZ-NTL_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| species = Kauri

| binomial = Agathis australis

| height = {{Convert|45.2|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| girth = {{Convert|15.44|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| volume = {{Convert|255.5|m3|ft3|abbr=on}}

| seeded = 500 BC {{endash}} 750 AD

}}

Tāne Mahuta, also called "God of the Forest", is a giant kauri tree (Agathis australis) in the Waipoua Forest of Northland Region, New Zealand. Its age is unknown but is estimated to be between 1,250 and 2,500 years. It is the largest living kauri tree known to stand today.{{cite web |publisher=Department of Conservation |url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/waipoua-forest/things-to-do/tane-mahuta-walk/ |title=Tane Mahuta Walk |accessdate=16 January 2019}} It is named after Tāne, the Māori god of forests and of birds.According to the Māori creation myth, Tāne is the son of Ranginui the sky father and Papatūanuku the earth mother. Tāne separates his parents from their marital embrace until his father the sky is high above mother earth. Tāne then sets about clothing his mother with vegetation. The birds and the trees of the forest are regarded as Tāne’s children.

The tree is a remnant of the ancient subtropical rainforest that once grew on the Northland Peninsula. Other giant kauri are found nearby, notably Te Matua Ngahere. Tāne Mahuta is the most famous tree in New Zealand, along with Te Matua Ngahere. It was discovered and identified in early January 1924{{cite news |title=Great Kauri Forest – Waipoua State Reserve |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19240114.2.90?end_date=31-12-1924&items_per_page=100&query=waipoua+kauri&start_date=01-01-1924&type=ARTICLE%2CILLUSTRATION |accessdate=2 November 2018 |issue=New Zealand Herald |date=14 January 1924}} when contractors surveyed the present State Highway 12 route through the forest. In 1928, Nicholas Yakas and other bushmen, who were building the road, also identified the tree.

In April 2009, Tāne Mahuta was formally partnered with the tree Jōmon Sugi on Yakushima Island, Japan.{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2360531/Iconic-trees-in-world-first-partnership |title=Iconic trees in world-first partnership |date=24 April 2009 |publisher=Fairfax New Zealand |accessdate=25 April 2009}}

During the New Zealand drought of 2013, 10,000 litres of water from a nearby stream was diverted to Tāne Mahuta, which was showing signs of dehydration.{{cite news |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Tane-Mahuta-earns-a-drink/tabid/1160/articleID/293955/Default.aspx |work=3 News NZ |title=Tane Mahuta earns a drink |date=12 April 2013}}

In 2018, the tree was considered threatened by kauri dieback, a generally fatal disease caused by a fungus which has already infected many nearby kauri trees.{{cite news |last=Ainge Roy |first=Eleanor |date=14 July 2018 |title='Like losing family': time may be running out for New Zealand's most sacred tree |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/14/like-losing-family-time-may-be-running-out-for-new-zealands-most-sacred-tree |work=The Guardian |accessdate=4 July 2018}}

New Zealand's Department of Conservation initiated a plan to protect and save the tree from kauri dieback.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Lois |title=DOC and scientists hatch plan to tackle kauri dieback in Northland |url=https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/364802/doc-and-scientists-hatch-plan-to-tackle-kauri-dieback-in-northland |accessdate=24 August 2018 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=24 August 2018 |language=en-nz}}