This morning I headed out around 4:30/5am to explore the Zig Zag path in South Titirangi. The hike down was easy... I was in search of Kauri. WikiP says: Agathis australis, commonly known by its Māori name kauri, is a coniferous tree of Araucariaceae in the genus Agathis, found north of 38°S in the northern districts of New Zealand's North Island. Kauri forests are among the most ancient in the world.
Kauris are currently endangered, dieoff is taking place due to a fungal pathogen carried in on feet/shoes.
Kauri are naturally found throughout the upper North Island of New Zealand, in the Northland, Auckland and Waikato regions, and in parts of the Bay of Plenty. Kauri have existed as a species for around 20 million years.
I found a small Kauri (maybe a metre across!) and gently placed electrodes onto its skin. For the past couple of days here my friend and I have wondered if sick versus healthy Kauri could be heard, would there be a significant difference in their sound?
Later in the afternoon, I was taken to Arataki Visitor Centre where there are many Kauri growing on the land around the centre. The rangers were very friendly and listened to my friend and I describe what I was up to in Australia and New Zealand (recording biodata) and they were entirely open to my placing electrodes onto one of the Kauri on site! The thing is, most Kauri are inaccessible. Platforms and walkways have been built up as walking tracks, to keep people off the Kauri roots. A beautiful 100 or so year old was close enough to a platform (easily 9 metres from the forest floor), with this Kauri reaching a height of... at least 30 metres or so?
I have a habit of thanking fungus, plants, and trees as I go to place electrodes onto them and today was no different. Kauri are beautiful. Majestic very much like Redwood. It turns out they are very musical, too. As I recorded and listened to the kauri biodata the park rangers came over to listen and talk about what exactly was going on! As we chatted, Joc (pronounced, Joss) came up. Joc works at the visitor's centre and wondered what the heck was going on! I think one of the rangers was telling their colleagues the Kauri was making music! ;)
Joc placed the headphones on and looked instantly blown away- like we all were! Further important info= Joc is Maori.
Joc shared incredible information with me. Her family and Maori people often cleanse themselves with the wind. Joc's family come up to this particular area for wind cleansing. A word used for this medicine or feeling/sensation (if I recall correctly!) is Rangoaa or Rongoā. Joc told me that the sounds she was hearing from the Kauri were Rongoā. Healing/feeling/cleansing.
Then, something truly unexpected happened. Joc took my shoulders and pulled me close saying, I must Hongi with you. Our noses and foreheads touched, like a close hug. I felt connected, grounded to the earth and connected to Joc.
Joc, if you read this- thank YOU.
Image shown: two trees. At a certain point down the Zig Zag track I felt like something was watching.. looking at me. I quickly turned and saw this tree! These markings were a knot and what appeared to be naturally formed creases. The other tree is the Kauri listened to up at the Arataki centre. Thanks for tuning in!
