Giant swamp kauri log unearthed at Ngāwhā

Richard Woodman, chairman of the Ngāwhā Marae Trustees Komiti, with the ancient kauri log uncovered during excavations for a new geothermal power station. Photo / Top Energy

A massive 60-tonne swamp kauri log discovered during excavations for a new power station at Ngāwhā has been gifted to the local marae.

The 16-metre log will be transported to Ngāwhā Marae today, where a powhiri will be held to welcome the ancient tree into the hapū's care from 5pm.

While carbon-dating has yet to be carried out the tree could have been buried and preserved in clay as long as 50,000 years ago.

Top Energy chief executive Russell Shaw said the trunk was discovered at a depth of 9m during levelling of the power station site in February, and is the only swamp kauri find at the power station site to date.

By the time the power station is complete 900,000cu m of soil will have been excavated and redistributed on the site, which is just east of Kaikohe.

Shaw said the unexpected discovery generated a great deal of excitement.

The area around the log was carefully dug out while iwi was consulted and the Northland Regional Council and Ministry for Primary Industries was advised.

A karakia was conducted by kaumatua Eddie Court when Ngāwhā Marae Trustees Komiti members and advisors visited the site on February 9.

Shaw said there was no doubt in his mind the ancient log should come under the guardianship of Ngāwhā Marae.

Komiti chairman Richard Woodman described the remnant from an ancient kauri forest as a precious cultural artefact.

It would live on for generations as a taonga tuku iho (a treasure to be handed down) for Ngāti Rangi ki Ngāwhā, he said.

Ngāwhā Marae Trustees would treat the taonga with utmost respect and were holding it for purposes that would enhance the hapū's cultural identity.

Earthworks for the geothermal power station expansion started in 2017 and will continue until July this year, when construction will begin. It is due to be completed in late 2020.