Story about cool big tree helps families connect with kauri

What would you wish for if an ancient kauri tree could grant wishes?

For kauri protection track ambassador Samantha Mills the answer is easy: to keep these majestic giants standing.

Samantha spends up to six days a week educating people who are entering the Long Bay Kauri Loop Track on kauri protection. The track has a 1200-year-old kauri so, for families, Samantha’s been throwing in a story she made up for her own children when they were young – about te kauri “the magical tree” which grants wishes.

“I’ve watched many families drag their children into the bush who have then enjoyed their experience and marvelled at the cool big kauri,” says Samantha, who gives give advice on using cleaning stations and shows people how to ensure their gear is dirt free going in and out of the track near Coromandel town.

“Visitors to the bush all know about kauri disease but don’t seem to understand how serious it is or how they can help stop the disease spreading.

“We have to look after these mighty trees. Protecting them also has a flow on effect to all the wildlife that surrounds these amazing trees.”

The wellbeing of kauri is under threat by a microscopic organism, Phytophthora agathidicida, which is spread by the movement of dirt from infected areas.

Samantha’s messaging to walkers is “always stay on the track – don’t go off the track even if you’re tempted for a selfie”.

The Kauri Protection Track Ambassador programme is a joint initiative between Waikato Regional Council and Thames Coromandel District Council, with funding from Biosecurity New Zealand. It is being held at Long Bay Reserve, a popular recreational site in the Coromandel Peninsula where kauri are flourishing.

Samantha has spoken to thousands of track users, and programme manager Ellen Cooper, from Thames-Coromandel District Council, is “delighted with the success, so much so the programme has been pushed out until the end of April to reach as many visitors as possible”.

That works for Samantha, whose family runs the nearby campground.

“I just love it here. The kauri here are thriving and so is the wildlife; I get a kereru who visits often, and some days the cicadas are so loud you can’t hear yourself think!”