'Tane Mahuta' Kauri Tree - in Waipoua Kauri Forest. (Agathis australis). New Zealand. New Zealand's largest kauri tree over 1200 years old 51 metres tall and a girth of almost 14 metres. The Maori name is God or Lord of the Forest and is a survivor of the extensive kauri or dammar forests once widespread through the northern part of New Zealand. Once common in Australia as well as New Zealand kauri forests were decimated by loggers and gum diggers in the early 20th century. Kauri forests are now confined to the northern part of the North Island.