In 1901, twelve hectares of California redwoods were planted in Whakarewarewa southeast of Rotorua. Six hectares survived to this day. Having spent hour after adoring hour wandering the redwood and sequoia groves back in California, I couldn’t help but think of all of these as “baby” redwoods.
The forest also showed signs of the South Pacific hybridizing I had noticed everywhere else on the North Island.
But I was also acutely aware of how little fauna lived amongst the megafauna. Where are the squirrels and mice that ought to be skittering around?
A section of the forest closest to the visitor’s center has lookouts and bridges built high above the forest floor. It instantly reminded me of an Ewok village.