54-602: 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 forest was declared a sanctuary in 1952. A community-based volunteer organisation, the Waipoua Forest Trust, helps maintain
108-538: A campaign to protect the Waipoua kauri forest, giving the status of a sanctuary. He wrote an 80-page illustrated pamphlet on the subject, which proved an effective manifesto for conservation. He said the forest "is not merely unique among the forest types of the world; it is at the same time undoubtedly one of Nature's most splendid achievements". He organised a petition that was signed by 70,000 supporters. His emotional appeals and superior rhetoric were successful in winning
162-603: A feature of the Northland landscape. For this reason wood and paper manufacturing industries also make a large contribution to the region's economy. The railway system, which once ran as far north as Donnellys Crossing , has been historically important for the transport of timber via Dargaville to Auckland. Northland is a favourite tourist destination, especially to the Bay of Islands and the historic town of Kerikeri. Diving and fishing are also popular visitor activities, especially around
216-479: A loose association known as the Muriwhenua . Approximately one third of the region's population are Māori; the majority of the remainder is of European lineage. Compared to the rest of the country, Pacific Islanders are under-represented in Northland. Although most of the region's European population are British (as is true with the rest of the country), certain other ethnicities are represented as well. These include
270-473: A notable kauri tree that is the largest in New Zealand by girth and the second largest by volume, and is estimated to be from 2,000 to 3,000 years old. The trees are threatened by the fungus Phytophthora taxon Agathis. The Waipoua Forest Trust has called for urgent action by the government to find a cure for the problem. The forest has the largest population of North Island brown kiwi in Northland. Populations of
324-401: A scientific discipline that was on the threshold of rapid change. Essentially insecure, he ran the department with a rod of iron, suppressing dissenters and, by and large, discouraging scientific debate". Notable students of McGregor include Patricia Bergquist . McGregor was dedicated to conservation of the indigenous flora and fauna of New Zealand. Starting in the 1940s, McGregor launched
378-533: A sizeable Croatian community from the Dargaville area north, particularly around Kaitaia . Northland is New Zealand's least urbanised region, with 50% of the population of 204,800 living in urban areas. Whangārei is the largest urban area of Northland, with a population of 56,800 (June 2024). The region's population is largely concentrated along the east coast, due to the west coast being more ragged and less suitable for urbanisation. According to Māori legend,
432-411: A spacious new building for which he had designed the interior layout. The building has been described as "mausoleum-like" by one of McGregor's students. For the rest of his career, he gave most of the zoology lectures based on a traditional curriculum that covered all major aspects of the subject as known at that time, but that was lacking in fieldwork. He built up an excellent zoology museum based around
486-593: A specially selected area of 0.8 square kilometres (0.31 sq mi) of the Waipoua Forest, and the whole of the Warawara Forest of 50 square kilometres (19 sq mi), be established as national kauri forests for the people of New Zealand. In 1926 a road was put through Waipoua Forest to provide access to the lands of neighbouring settlers. In the 1940s it became known that the State Forest Service
540-523: Is dotted with bays and peninsulas. Several large natural harbours are found on this coast, from Parengarenga close to the region's northern tip, then Whangaroa Harbour , and past the famous Bay of Islands down to Whangārei Harbour, on the shores of which is situated the largest population centre. Numerous islands dot this coast, notably the Cavalli Islands , the Hen and Chicken Islands , Aorangaia Island and
594-468: Is the northernmost of New Zealand's 16 local government regions . New Zealanders sometimes refer to it as the Winterless North because of its mild climate all throughout the year. The major population centre is the city of Whangārei , and the largest town is Kerikeri . At the 2018 New Zealand census , Northland recorded a population growth spurt of 18.1% since the previous 2013 census , placing it as
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#1732855207004648-731: The 2013 census . There were 95,697 males, 97,776 females and 528 people of other genders in 71,778 dwellings. 2.4% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age was 43.2 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 38,067 people (19.6%) aged under 15 years, 29,856 (15.4%) aged 15 to 29, 83,790 (43.2%) aged 30 to 64, and 42,288 (21.8%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 73.0% European ( Pākehā ); 37.4% Māori ; 4.9% Pasifika ; 4.8% Asian ; 0.7% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
702-611: The Department of Conservation in its management role. In March 2000 the New Zealand Minister of Internal Affairs, Mark Burton , launched the Millennium Kauri Forest to the south of the Waipoua Forest, giving a $ 1.4 million lottery grant and a gift of land title to the Waipoua Forest Trust. Most of the money went towards further purchases of land to protect the southern boundaries of the forest. The Trust co-operates with
756-592: The Far North District . Whangarei City, Whangarei County, and Hikurangi Town Councils became the Whangarei District , with Dargaville Borough and Otamatea County becoming the Kaipara District . The Northland Regional Council became a tier of local government above these territorial authorities. A proposal to merge the three district councils and the regional council into a unitary authority to be known as
810-469: The Hokianga Harbour. These kauri forests are also home to Te Raupua at 781 metres (2,562 ft), the highest point in the region. Northland has many endemic plant and invertebrate species such as the endangered snail pūpū harakeke ( Placostylus ambagiosus ), stick insects and the Northland green tree gecko ( Naultinus grayii ). The western coast is dominated by several long straight beaches,
864-628: The Poor Knights Islands . The northernmost points of the North Island mainland lie at the top of Northland. These include several points often confused in the public mind as being the country's northernmost points: Cape Maria van Diemen , Spirits Bay , Cape Reinga , and North Cape . The northernmost point of the North Island is actually the Surville Cliffs , close to North Cape although
918-574: The Trewartha climate classification , with warm humid summers and mild wet winters. Due to its latitude and low elevation, Northland has the country's highest average annual temperature. However, as with other parts of New Zealand, climate conditions are variable. In summer, temperatures range from 22 °C to 26 °C, occasionally rising above 30 °C. In winter, maximum temperatures vary between 13 °C and 19 °C, while minima vary between 6 °C and 11 °C. Ground frosts are rare due to
972-600: The "Family of Ancient Trees" project to raise mutual awareness and encourage eco-tourism. The agreement followed a series of visits and talks between members of the trust and other concerned New Zealand groups and their opposite numbers in Japan. In May 2009 the trust was one of the sponsors of the Waipoua Forest run, in which many Japanese visitors participated. 35°39′S 173°33′E / 35.650°S 173.550°E / -35.650; 173.550 Northland Region The Northland Region ( Māori : Te Tai Tokerau )
1026-598: The Bay of Islands and the Poor Knights Islands . Northland was formerly home to New Zealand's only oil refinery, located in Marsden Point , a town, close to Whangārei across the harbour. New Zealand's natural fuel resources in Taranaki account for a little under half of the refinery's intake, with the rest coming predominantly from the Middle East. The nearby Marsden A thermal power station originally utilised heavy oil from
1080-667: The Bay of Islands, Russell , formerly known as Kororareka, was the first permanent European settlement and Kerikeri contains many historic buildings, including the Stone Store , New Zealand's oldest extant building. The nearby settlement of Waitangi was of even more significance, as the signing place of New Zealand's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi between the Māori tribes and the British Crown, on 6 February 1840. Between 1870 and 1920,
1134-664: The Native Forests Restoration Trust, which operates the Professor McGregor Reserve. It has bought farmland to the north of the McGregor Reserve, helping preserve the southern boundary of the Waipoua catchment. Through a Queen Elizabeth II National Trust covenant, the trust administers about 16 ha of the Marlborough Road forest to the south of the Waipoua reserve. The trust is attempting to save
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#17328552070041188-450: The North Island of New Zealand was an enormous fish, caught by the demigod Māui . For this reason, Northland is sometimes referred to as "The tail of the fish", Te Hiku o Te Ika . Northland iwi claim that Kupe made landfall at the Hokianga (although others claim this was at Taipa) in the northwest of Northland, and thus the region claims that it was the birthplace of New Zealand. Some of
1242-632: The Northland Council was rejected by the Local Government Commission in June 2015. Northland Region covers 12,507.14 km (4,829.03 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 204,800 as of June 2024, with a population density of 16 people per km . Northland Region had a population of 194,007 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 14,931 people (8.3%) since the 2018 census , and an increase of 42,318 people (27.9%) since
1296-560: The Waipoua Block No.1 in 1876 for a little over £2,000 . At the time it covered about 80 square kilometres (31 sq mi). In 1885 the Waipoua Forest came under the provision of the State Forests Act, and an area of 90 km² was constituted a State Forest Reserve. One of the reasons for its escape from destruction in earlier days was its remoteness combined with the difficulty of extracting its timber. Another was, that like
1350-631: The Warawara to the North, rainfall was more consistent and abundant so that Māori and European fires had not engulfed it (as happened to the Kaihu, Puhipuhi and large parts of the Coromandel forest in the 1870s and 1880s). In 1907 the Waipoua Forest, the Warawara forest and one or two other smaller reserves were the only virgin kauri forests left belonging to the state. In 1913 a Royal Commission on Forestry recommended that
1404-631: The battle. He continued his campaign against forestry in the reserve after retiring in 1960, and founded the New Zealand Conservation Society. McGregor married Kathleen Gladys Dacey in 1920, and they had three daughters and a son. After his first wife's death in November 1954, he remarried in October 1955. He died at Auckland on 1 June 1977. A giant kauri in Waipoua with diameter 436 cm (14.30 ft) and height 40.8 m (134 ft)
1458-424: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 20,514 (13.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 87,414 (56.1%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 41,562 (26.7%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 33,100, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 11,367 people (7.3%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
1512-400: The collection from his 1929 trip. The university did not make him associate professor until 1949 and never made him a full professor. He complained that he had been promised the full professorship if he succeeded in building up the zoology school, as he had, but without effect. McGregor has been described as "charismatic and forceful in the lecture theatre, but poorly qualified to preside over
1566-512: The east by the Pacific Ocean. The land is predominantly rolling hill country. Farming and forestry occupy over half of the land and are two of the region's main industries. Although many of the region's kauri forests were felled during the 19th century, some areas still exist where this rare giant grows tall. New Zealand's largest tree, Tāne Mahuta , stands in the Waipoua Forest south of
1620-432: The endangered North Island kōkako can be found in the high plateau country. A forest fire threatened Waipoua Forest when it broke out on 1 February 2007 after someone had been cooking mussels on an open fire at a nearby beach. The fire burnt pine plantation adjoining the native forest, but destroyed ecologically significant wetland vegetation, and came within 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) of the iconic Tāne Mahuta. The blaze
1674-567: The fastest growing region in New Zealand, ahead of other strong growth regions such as the Bay of Plenty Region (2nd with 15%) and Waikato (3rd with 13.5%). The Northland Region occupies the northern 80% (265 kilometres (165 miles)) of the 330 kilometres (210 miles) Northland Peninsula , the southernmost part of which is in the Auckland Region . It is bounded to the west by the Tasman Sea , and to
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1728-484: The forest. The sanctuary is bordered to the south by the 350 hectares (860 acres) Professor W.R McGregor Reserve, named after W. R. McGregor (1894–1977). In the 1940s, McGregor, and others, successfully campaigned to end logging of the forest and to have it declared a sanctuary, a status it achieved in 1952. Today, the forest is a significant drawcard for visitors to Northland, with approximately 200,000 people visiting Tāne Mahuta every year. This has led to concerns about
1782-557: The ground, collecting flax seed, and monitoring and eradicating pests such as rats and possums . As of June 2007 the trust had invested more than NZ $ 4 million in land protection and restoration. The trust has been supported by Kaipara District council in its application to the Ministry for the Environment for funding to replant areas within the Domain with indigenous vegetation. In November 2007
1836-569: The health of the forest and the spread of kauri dieback disease. There are also easy walking tracks to Te Matua Ngahere and the Four Sisters, and a longer hiking track south leading past the 7th-largest kauri tree, the Yakas kauri. The Waipoua, Warawara and Puketi forests together contain about three quarters of New Zealand's remaining mature kauri trees. The Waipoua forest holds the largest remaining stand of these trees. It contains Te Matua Ngahere ,
1890-558: The incoming Labor Government. In this short period, approximately 1/5 of the forest was felled (about 1/4 by timber volume). Waipoua Forest Trust is a community-based environmental organisation that was set up in 1999 to protect the kauri forests in the Waipoua area. The Trust is a joint partnership between the Native Forests Restoration Trust and Te Roroa , the Māori guardians of Waipoua. The two organisations help guide
1944-545: The last of the ancient kauri trees, and to assist the wildlife in the park to recover. The trust is actively engaged in reseeding and converting previously logged land to its original forested state and is also working on establishing a kiwi hatchery. Awareness has been made through a photographic display at the Kauri Museum at Matakohe . The ASB Community Trust granted the Waipoua Forest Trust $ 810,000 in 2007. Volunteers engage in weeding previously planted areas, maintaining
1998-402: The major industry in Northland was kauri gum digging, which by the 1910s was centred around the townships of Ahipara and Houhora . The subnational gross domestic product (GDP) of Northland was estimated at NZ$ 7.86 billion in the year to March 2019, 2.6% of New Zealand's national GDP. The regional GDP per capita was estimated at $ 42,104 in 2019, the lowest of all New Zealand regions. In
2052-521: The most famous of which is the inaccurately-named 88 km stretch of Ninety Mile Beach in the region's far north. The slightly longer Ripiro Beach lies further south. Two large inlets are also located on this coast, the massive Kaipara Harbour in the south, which Northland shares with the Auckland Region, and the convoluted inlets of the Hokianga Harbour. The east coast is more rugged, and
2106-520: The northernmost point of the country is further north, in the Kermadec chain of islands. Cape Reinga and Spirits Bay, however, have a symbolic part to play as the end of the country. In Māori mythology , it is from here that the souls of the dead depart on their journey to the afterlife. The region of Northland has an oceanic climate ( Cfb in the Köppen climate classification ), but a subtropical climate in
2160-451: The oldest traces of Māori kāinga (fishing villages) can be found here. If the Māori regard the region as the legendary birthplace of the country, there can be no doubt that it was the European starting-point for the modern nation of New Zealand. Traders, whalers and sealers were among the first arrivals, and the gum and timber of the mighty kauri trees brought more colonisers. In
2214-423: The refinery for electricity production, but no longer does so. 35°35′S 173°58′E / 35.58°S 173.97°E / -35.58; 173.97 William Roy McGregor William Roy McGregor (8 July 1894 – 1 June 1977) was a New Zealand zoologist and conservationist who was successful in halting forestry in the Waipoua forest and establishing the forest as a protected sanctuary. McGregor
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2268-503: The region being encircled by the moderating Pacific and Tasman waters, but light frosts do occur infrequently around Dargaville in the lowlands. The hottest months are January and February. In January 2009, excessive sunlight hours and below-average rainfall resulted in the region being declared a drought zone. Typical annual rainfall for the region is 1500–2000 mm but varies at different altitudes. Northland has an average of 2000 sunshine hours annually. Winds are predominantly from
2322-556: The region: Until 1989 Northland was governed by several councils and an earlier Northland Regional Council known as the Northland United Council. (It had been part of Auckland Province from 1853 until government was centralised in 1876. Long after Auckland Province ceased, the region continued to be known as North Auckland.) In 1989, Kaitaia Borough, Mangonui County , Whangaroa County , Bay of Islands County , Hokianga County , and Kaikohe Borough were amalgamated to become
2376-582: The southwest. Occasionally in summer, the region experiences stormy conditions from former cyclones which generally become much weaker once they leave tropical latitudes. The Northland Region has been governed by the present Northland Regional Council since 1989. The seat of the council is in Whangārei . Regional council members represent 8 constituencies: Far North, Bay of Islands-Whangaroa, Mid North, Coastal Central, Coastal South, Whangārei City, Kaipara and Te Raki. There are three territorial authorities in
2430-509: The trust raised an outcry over a decision by the Department of Conservation to cut down a 600-year-old kauri tree as part of a road widening project. In April 2009, Alex Nathan, who is chairman of both Te Roroa Whatu Ora and Waipoua Forest trust, met with his counterpart from the Yakushima community in Japan, which has similar concerns about preserving ancient giant trees. The two leaders launched
2484-582: The year to March 2018, primary industries contributed $ 984 million (13.1%) to the regional GDP, goods-producing industries contributed $ 1.59 billion (21.2%), service industries contributed $ 4.30 billion (57.1%), and taxes and duties contributed $ 645 million (8.6%) The region's economy is based on agriculture (notably beef cattle and sheep), fishing, forestry , and horticulture . Northland has 4,423 hectares (10,930 acres) of horticultural land as of 2017. Significant crops include avocadoes , kumara , kiwifruit , citrus fruit and olives . Extensive forests are
2538-450: Was born in Thames, New Zealand on 8 July 1894, the son of a draper. He attended Auckland Grammar School in 1909, and then became a school teacher. In 1918 he was appointed a demonstrator in biology at Auckland University College , and in 1922 became a lecturer in zoology. In 1924 he undertook ecological research into the kauri , a giant tree species native to New Zealand. In the late 1920s he
2592-741: Was cutting kauri at Waipoua. In 1947 the Whangarei Progressive Society, in association with the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society , the Waipoua Preservation Society, and other organisations secured more than 43,000 signatures on a petition asking for the 'declaration of the Waipoua State Forest as a national park under a board of trust, and that all milling and other state forest activities should cease'. The petition consisted of thirteen volumes of signatures, which
2646-454: Was fought by local fire fighters and conservation volunteers, who managed to stop its spread using helicopters and fire breaks. Millions of dollars of pine, and many endangered birds, were lost, including an estimated 20 North Island brown kiwi. In all the fire claimed over 2 square kilometres (0.77 sq mi) of vegetation. The Waipoua Forest was bought from Māori namely Tiopira Kinaka (Te Roroa) and Parore Te Awha (Te Kuihi) as part of
2700-480: Was hired by the State Forest Service as a consultant for the Waipoua forest. In 1929 he paid his own way on an expedition to Australia, New Guinea and what is now Indonesia . McGregor did not obtain his BSc in Zoology until 1932, by which time he was de facto head of zoology at the university. In 1933 he was formally made lecturer in charge of zoology, and in 1939 became head of the newly formed Zoology department, with
2754-477: Was one of the driving forces in this movement, writing an 80-page illustrated pamphlet on the subject, which proved an effective manifesto for conservation. In the late 1960s, in violation of the 1913 recommendations, adopted de facto, the National Government initiated clear felling in the Warawara forest. This was not stopped until 1972 following a large public outcry and fulfilment of an election promise of
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#17328552070042808-461: Was presented by the MP for Marsden, AJ Murdoch in a wheelbarrow to parliament on 25 September 1947. Its hope was that 160 square kilometres (62 sq mi) at Waipoua should be set aside for all time, inviolate from interference by man. Other petitions followed, and on 2 July 1952 an area of over 80 square kilometres (31 sq mi) was proclaimed a forest sanctuary. The zoologist William Roy McGregor
2862-557: Was spoken by 97.0%, Māori language by 10.1%, Samoan by 0.4% and other languages by 7.1%. No language could be spoken by 1.9% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.5%. The percentage of people born overseas was 16.9, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 31.2% Christian , 0.7% Hindu , 0.2% Islam , 3.8% Māori religious beliefs , 0.5% Buddhist , 0.5% New Age , 0.1% Jewish , and 1.2% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 54.2%, and 7.8% of people did not answer
2916-421: Was that 67,788 (43.5%) people were employed full-time, 21,735 (13.9%) were part-time, and 5,469 (3.5%) were unemployed. Māori refer to Northland – and by extension its Māori people – as Te Taitokerau (the northern tide) and Māori language and traditions are strong there. Major tribal groups include Ngāpuhi , Te Aupōuri , Te Rarawa , Ngāti Kahu , Ngāti Kurī and Ngāti Whātua . Several of these tribes form
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