Rākau
The Ancient Forests of Aotearoa
Rākau
The Ancient Forests of Aotearoa
Ned Barraud
PAPAT − U − ANUKU AND RANGINUI
Long before the first rākau (trees) emerged, the atua (gods) grew restless in the darkness between their parents. They longed for space and light.
Tāne Mahuta, the atua of forests and birds, decided to separate his parents – Ranginui, the Sky Father, and Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother.
With great effort and determination, he pushed them apart, creating space between them and allowing the first light to enter . . .
THE TIME OF GIANTS
There was a time before people when giant rākau stood shoulder to shoulder from the tip of Te Ika-a-Māui (the North Island) to the bottom of Te Waipounamu (the South Island). Most of Aotearoa was once blanketed in ngahere (forests).
Towering kauri trees, majestic podocarps and dense beech forests dominated the landscape, their soaring canopies stretching as far as the eye could see.
MATA − I OR MIRO?
Both mataī and miro can grow above the forest canopy, reaching impressive heights of 30 metres or more. Older trees have bark that looks as if it’s been dented by a hammer. These two rākau may look similar, but there are a few clues to help tell them apart.
Mataī sits among the rākau rangatira, the chiefly trees. Its dark, durable wood was traditionally crafted into objects like waka huia – beautifully carved boxes for storing prized taonga (treasures), like pounamu or huia feathers.
The bark of both mataı¯ and miro can have a similar dented appearance, but mataı¯ bark often has patches of a bright red.
Miro
Mataı¯ leaves are spiky and grow at different angles from the stem. Its female cones are dark purple when ripe.
The female cones of miro are larger than mataı¯ cones and orangey-red. Miro leaves are softer and grow in a single direction, like a feather.
Miro is a favourite of kererū, who gorge themselves on the ripe cones. Occasionally, over-ripe cones can make kererū drunk, causing them to topple out of the tree!
A GOBLIN FOREST
Some special places in Aotearoa are known as cloud forests. These moist, temperate rainforests are home to spooky, twisted rākau coated in moss, lichen and liverworts. On the slopes of the dormant volcano Taranaki Maunga (Mount Taranaki), one such ngahere has been nicknamed the Goblin Forest. Here, ancient kāmahi stretch their gnarled branches upwards in search of sunlight, creating an other-worldly feeling.
R
AT
A AND THE T
O TARA
Rātā, a great warrior, sought to build a waka taua to avenge his father’s death. He found a mighty tōtara in the ngahere and chopped it down. However, the next morning when he returned, he found the rākau standing tall and whole again, as if it had never been cut. This happened over and over again.
Determined to solve the mystery, Rātā hid and watched the tree overnight. He saw the hākuturi, the forest spirits and guardians of the trees, restoring the tōtara each night.
Did you Spot?
kahikateakoroı _ possum
kahukura sky-blue mushroomswerewere -ko _kako red admiralbutterfly
tokipoutanga
rabbit
kawakawaloopermoth tıtipounamu
rifleman
kawakawacaterpillarlooper
pu _riri moth kea
huia feather
pa _ tua
fantail G
erman wasp p
wakawaka
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Curator Botany at Te Papa Leon Perrie for his knowledge of and advice on tree and plant botany, and to Curator Mātauranga Māori at Te Papa Isaac Te Awa (Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Ngā Puhi) for his expert guidance.
The wonderful designer Kate Barraclough worked on my drafts, right from the beginning of the project, bringing the book to life.
Thank you to the team at Te Papa Press: Publisher Michael Upchurch, Project Editor Olive Owens, editor Teresa McIntyre, and proofreaders June Hannah and Ruby Leonard.
And a special thanks to my Granny Molly, who was a wonderful gardener and inspired my love of native trees.
About the author/illustrator
Based in Whakatū Nelson, Ned Barraud is an author/illustrator of over twenty children’s books exploring the natural world. These include Tohorā: The Southern Right Whale, Rock Pools: A Guide for Kiwi Kids, New Zealand’s Backyard Beasts and Mangō: Sharks and Rays of Aotearoa, which won an award for children’s natural history at the 2024 Whitley Awards. Along with author Gillian Candler, he has also illustrated the popular Explore & Discover series, which includes the prize-winning At the Beach.
About the contributors
Leon Perrie is Curator Botany at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Leon specialises in identifying plants and the collection of plant specimens.
Isaac Te Awa (Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu, Waitaha, Ngā Puhi) is Curator Mātauranga Māori at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Isaac is a weaver and specialises in the revitalisation and reconnection of Māori art practices to community.
RĀKAU: THE ANCIENT FORESTS OF AOTEAROA
RRP: $35
ISBN: 978-1-99-107206-1
PUBLISHED: September 2025
PAGE EXTENT: 48 pages
FORMAT: Hardback
SIZE: 270 x 210 mm
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ORDER https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/about/te-papa-press/contact-te-papa-press