The native kamahi tree is one of the trees that comprise the goblin forests in New Zealand. Read all about this common native forest tree here.
One of the very first hikes I did upon arrival in New Zealand was a short walk on Mt. Taranaki. Since it was winter and our kids were small we didn’t go far, but we did experience the goblin forest. At the time we were pretty stoked to be on the volcano and also to see these crazy trees. One of the main trees in the goblin forest is the kamahi tree with its many branched trunks festooned in epiphytes, moss, and lichen.
5 Kamahi Tree Facts
This is a common native tree that can be found in lowland and mountain forest across the country. It is found from a little south of the Auckland area all the way down to Rakiura/Stewart Island with a few exceptions (notably around Christchurch on the South Island).
Kamahi is a medium to tall forest tree, depending on where it grows, growing up to 25 meters tall. Those trees at higher elevations are shorter. The leaves are 3 – 10 cm long by 2 – 4 cm wide and are toothed (meaning they are not smooth). They are also leathery, becoming thicker and more leathery as they age.
This tree produces nice white flowers in spring or early summer. The flowers grow in clusters of tall stalks that are up to 10 cm. When it’s flowering the tree becomes completely covered by flowers to the point that it’s difficult to see the leaves.
After flowering, the tree produces red seeds. The red seeds then cover the tree in a similar manner as the flowers did.
This is one of the main trees found in the goblin forests that can be found on the slopes of Mt. Taranaki on the North Island. What exactly is the goblin forest? In short, it is the name given to a type of forest found roughly around 800 to 1,000 meters of elevation. This high altitude forest is characterised by many branched trees covered in vegetation. The forest looks a bit eerie and can be seen to look like goblins in the right light and with a little imagination.