Short answer: Groups visit Waipoua Forest in Northland for Tāne Mahuta, New Zealand's largest known living kauri, on a short walk open 9 am to 4 pm daily. DOC closed the nearby Kauri Walks from March 2026 for a new boardwalk. Explera DMC New Zealand confirms track status with DOC before every departure.
Waipoua is on State Highway 12 on Northland's west coast. DOC manages the forest in partnership with Te Roroa, the iwi who are kaitiaki of Waipoua, and the walks are built to keep visitors off the kauri's shallow roots.
What can a group see at Tāne Mahuta?
- A short, accessible walk. DOC lists the Tāne Mahuta Walk as 166 m one way, about 5 minutes, and wheelchair accessible.
- Fixed hours. The track is open 9 am to 4 pm daily, and the gate is locked outside those hours. We set the day around that window.
- Cleaning on the way in. Visitors pass through a wash station at the entrance, and everyone keeps to the track.
- New infrastructure. The first phase of the Rākau Rangatira project, opened in December 2024, upgraded the boardwalk, bridge and viewing platform at Tāne Mahuta.
What is happening at the Kauri Walks?
The Kauri Walks car park, about 4 km from Tāne Mahuta, leads to Te Matua Ngahere, the Four Sisters and Yakas Kauri. DOC closed the Kauri Walks from March 2026 to build a 1.5 km elevated boardwalk in the second phase of Rākau Rangatira, and said it expected Te Matua Ngahere and the Four Sisters to reopen in October 2026. The Four Sisters have been closed since 2019 because of the risk of kauri dieback.
Te Matua Ngahere is the second largest living kauri in New Zealand and is estimated to be more than 2,000 years old. Until we have confirmed the walk is open, we sell Tāne Mahuta as the main stop and add the Kauri Walks only when DOC confirms access.
How do we fit Waipoua into a programme?
- Pair it with the Bay of Islands. Waipoua works on a west coast loop from a Bay of Islands extension.
- Allow for the road. DOC puts Dargaville about 65 km south and Ōmāpere about 18 km north. Our driving times guide explains how we pace coach days.
- Brief the group. Clean footwear, stay on the boardwalk and treat the forest as a taonga. Our Māori cultural experiences guide covers how we brief clients on tikanga.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We plan Northland touring within group tours and coach and private transfers. See our Waipoua and Hokianga destination page.
Related trade guides: Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach · Bay of Islands bases
FAQ
When is the Tāne Mahuta Walk open? DOC lists it as open 9 am to 4 pm daily, with the gate locked outside those hours.
Is the Tāne Mahuta Walk accessible? Yes. DOC lists it as a 166 m wheelchair-accessible walk, about 5 minutes one way.
Are the Kauri Walks open? DOC closed them from March 2026 for a new boardwalk and expected Te Matua Ngahere and the Four Sisters to reopen in October 2026. We confirm with DOC before travel.
Who looks after Waipoua Forest? DOC works in partnership with Te Roroa, the iwi who are kaitiaki of Waipoua.
Sources
- Waipoua Forest embarks on bold Kauri Walks expansion, Department of Conservation, 11 March 2026
- Investing in naturing: DOC and Te Roroa take Waipoua forward, Department of Conservation, 12 January 2026
- Tāne Mahuta Walk, Department of Conservation
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
