1. Tāne Mahuta walk, Northland

This short walk, suitable for buggies and children, leads to Tāne Mahuta, the oldest known kauri in Aotearoa. The tree’s name translates to ‘God of the Forest’. Tāne Mahuta is 52m tall and is estimated to be more than 2500 years old.

2. Kauri Loop track, Huntly

This track winds through a native kauri forest and is an easy 1–2 hour loop with several lookouts, from which the Waikato River can be seen. On a clear day you may also get glimpses of Tongariro National Park.

3. Hukutaia Domain, Ōpōtiki

This domain has several walking options, including a short walk to a pūriri named Taketakerau, which is over 1900 years old.

4. Mangaotaki Walk, Mahoenui

Along this 2km walk is an 1800-year-old tōtara named Pouākani. The walk can be a two-hour round trip from the nearby town of Mahoenui, or a 30-minute amble from the track head.

5. Whirinaki track, Rotorua

Along this three-hour track are some of the oldest and tallest trees in the country in a forest of kahikatea, tōtara, mataī, rimu and miro.

6. Pukawa Bay walks, Tūrangi

This can be a 1.2km or 1.4km walk and offers views of Lake Taupō, often framed by the leaves of an ancient forest.

7. Queen Charlotte Track, Marlborough Sounds

This famous multi-day track has stunning coastal views and passes through dense native bush and open areas. It’s also home to a 1000-year-old rimu tree. The track can be accessed at various points by boat for a day walk.

8. Dennistoun Bush Walk, Canterbury

This easy 1.8km, 60-minute loop is in Peel Forest. The track passes through 40ha of ancient forest with huge kahikatea, lowland tōtara and mataī. Near Brake Road is a hollow tōtara stump large enough to encircle a family.

9. Clarke Flat and Te Wanahu Flat tracks, Canterbury

Also within Peel Forest is Mills Bush, 16.2ha of virgin podocarp forest made up of lowland tōtara, mataī and kahikatea trees, many more than 1000 years old. The forest is brimming with native birdlife and 68 species of native ferns. Along the Big Tree Walk is a huge lowland tōtara almost 3m wide.

10. Ship Creek, Haast

This ancient kahikatea swamp forest provides a glimpse of what the West Coast bush may have looked like prior to human settlement.