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Story: Waka – canoes

Kauri tree

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Kauri tree

Although the tōtara was the most widely used tree for canoe building, the kauri was abundant in the north, and more commonly used there.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10050744

by Chris Rudge

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How to cite this page

Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, Waka – canoes – Waka in New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/5998/kauri-tree (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, published 2 March 2009.