Te-Waha-O-Rerekohu - Oldest Pohutukawa Tree

This oldest pōhutukawa tree in New Zealand, Te Waha o Rerekohu, grows in the grounds of Te Waha o Rerekohu Area School. At 65 feet tall with its branches spreading over 120 feet all around, it’s a spectacular piece of nature, said to be lording over this spot for over 600 years. The tree is still strongly tapu (sacred) today. So tapu that when the local school committee decided that one of the lower branches should be cut off to improve the balance of the tree no one was willing to do the job. The branch remains. You can view the mighty ancient tree from Moana Parade along the beachfront at Te Araroa. Please respect the history of the tree and do not climb it.