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Our Kauri
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Kauri at Scott Point
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Our Kauri (a childrens book)
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NIWA Research
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NIWA Certificate of Analysis
Kauri at Scott Point
Long before Scott Point School was built, an ancient kauri tree stood proudly on this site, watching over the landscape for more than 1,000 years. After falling around 63,000 years ago, the tree was buried and preserved beneath layers of clay, protecting it for thousands of generations. Its discovery during the school's development provided a remarkable connection to the deep natural history of Onekiritea. Today, a slice of this extraordinary tree is displayed in the school as a treasured taonga, reminding us of the forests that once covered this land and inspiring us to care for the environment for future generations. This discovery is a truly special part of Scott Point School's story.
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Our Kauri Story
The story of the ancient kauri is a remarkable part of Scott Point School's history, and we wanted our youngest learners to experience it too. To help bring this incredible discovery to life, we created a children's storybook that shares the journey of the ancient tree in an engaging and easy-to-understand way. Through storytelling and illustrations, the book introduces the significance of the kauri. We invite you to read the story and discover how one extraordinary tree continues to inspire curiosity, learning, and environmental guardianship at Scott Point School.
NIWA Research
Ancient kauri trees provide an extraordinary window into New Zealand's past. Scientists at NIWA study the growth rings and chemistry of kauri to learn about the country's climate and environment over thousands of years. By examining both living and ancient trees, researchers can reconstruct rainfall, temperature, and environmental changes long before written records existed. NIWA's internationally recognised Ancient Kauri Archive helps protect these remarkable specimens while supporting research from scientists around the world. This work is helping us better understand New Zealand's natural history and how our environment has changed over time, making every ancient kauri discovery an important part of our scientific and cultural heritage.
NIWA Certificate of Analysis
Following the discovery of the ancient kauri at Scott Point School, a sample was analysed by NIWA's Ancient Kauri Archive to determine its age. Using radiocarbon dating, scientists identified the tree as Agathis australis (New Zealand kauri) and estimated it to be more than 63,000 years old. This remarkable age confirms that the tree lived during a very different period in New Zealand's history. The analysis also adds to NIWA's internationally recognised research, helping scientists better understand New Zealand's ancient environments and changing climate. This extraordinary discovery links Scott Point School to an important piece of our country's natural and scientific heritage.
