An Ancient Past

Dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago, but my kauri ancestors and other conifers continued to dominate forests throughout New Zealand.

Then sea levels rose (5 million years ago), followed by volcanic activity and the beginning of glaciation. As landscape and climate changed, my kauri ancestors retreated northwards. Ever since, we have been confined to these northern rainforests.

Several layers of ancient kauri logs lie buried not far beneath your feet in Northland. These logs preserved in bogs and swamps tell the fate of previous generations of kauri forests, some living at least 45,000 years ago. Some forests collapsed when tsunamis flooded low-lying areas. Some succumbed to fires caused by lightning strikes during glacial droughts. Others were toppled by hurricanes. Despite such catastrophes, new generations of kauri continued to spring up.

Let me share the secret of our survival.