Monday, 23 March 2015
MÄngere (Auckland), North Island — New Zealand
Leaving Dargaville for Auckland around 9:00a, we stopped in Matakohe where we spent several hours at the Kauri Museum. As explained on the museum website, the exhibits “… tell the story of our pioneering settlers though the lens of the Kauri Industry. The museum specializes in the legacy of our Kauri Forests; specifically the strong durable timber and the highly prized Kauri Gum.”
From top to bottom, the markers show …
1100 — approximate date of seeding of the tree.
1642 — Abel Tasman discovers New Zealand.
1769 — Cook Discovers New Zealand.
1840 — the Treaty of Waitangi is signed.
1960 — tree cut down.
The world's largest kauri slab — measuring 74 feet (22.5 m) long.
As interesting as it was to learn more about the giant kauris, what we really enjoyed about the museum were all the heritage exhibits … but that’s for later.
