Roughly 50 kilometres southeast of Rotorua, on the volcanic plateau above the Taupō basin, lies Kaingaroa Forest — the largest plantation forest in New Zealand and the second largest in the Southern Hemisphere. The forest covers approximately 2,900 square kilometres of the Bay of Plenty region, stretching from Lake Taupō in the south to Kawerau in the north, and contains roughly 20 million trees — predominantly radiata pine, with stands of Douglas fir and 48 other species maintained for biodiversity. At the heart of the forest sits the small village of Kaingaroa, a predominantly Māori community of around 420 people whose history is inseparable from the story of the forest itself.
Practical Information
| Location | ~50 km southeast of Rotorua, Bay of Plenty |
|---|---|
| Access | Via SH38 toward Murupara; Kaingaroa Road into the forest |
| Village population | ~420 (as of 2025; approximately 98% Māori) |
| Forest area | ~2,900 km² (largest plantation in New Zealand) |
| Tree species | Primarily radiata pine and Douglas fir; 50 species total |
| Forest ownership | Land: iwi (returned 2009); Trees: Kaingaroa Timberlands Ltd (forestry licence) |
About the Forest
Experimental planting at Kaingaroa began in 1901, with more systematic planting following from 1906 using labour from the nearby Waiotapu prison. The large-scale state-backed planting programme took off in the late 1920s and 1930s, largely through the labour of unemployed men during the depression era. By 1935 the forest had grown to nearly 47,000 hectares. Planting continued over subsequent decades until the forest reached its current scale.
The choice of radiata pine was deliberate — the species, native to coastal California, proved extraordinarily well-suited to the pumice soils of the volcanic plateau, growing far faster than it does in its native range. The Kaingaroa plateau had long been considered wasteland, prone to wind erosion and of limited agricultural value without heavy investment. The forest transformed it into one of the most productive commercial timber estates in the world. Radiata pine from Kaingaroa feeds New Zealand’s timber, pulp and panel industries, and the forest’s output contributes significantly to national export earnings.
The Village of Kaingaroa
The village of Kaingaroa grew to support the forestry workforce, and at its peak housed close to 1,000 people. The New Zealand Forest Service built housing, schools and community infrastructure to sustain a self-contained forestry settlement. When the Forest Service was disestablished and restructured in the mid-1980s, thousands of workers across the industry lost their jobs. The village population fell sharply. By the early 2000s, the settlement was significantly depopulated and much of the housing stock had deteriorated.
In 2009, following Treaty of Waitangi settlements, the land beneath the forest was returned to the iwi who were its traditional owners — primarily Ngāti Manawa, Ngāti Whare and Ngāti Tūwharetoa. The trees themselves remain owned by the private company Kaingaroa Timberlands Ltd under a forestry licence. The land return provided the basis for community-led redevelopment of the village.
Today the village of Kaingaroa is home to around 420 people, approximately 98% of whom identify as Māori. Government investment through Grow Regions and other programmes has supported housing upgrades, whānau services and community infrastructure. The village has electricity, water services, a community hall and a school, but remains remote — the nearest supermarket and major services are in Rotorua, an hour away.
Visiting the Forest
Public access to Kaingaroa Forest is limited — the plantation is a working commercial forest, and much of it is private land under active management. Forestry roads are used by logging trucks and access is controlled. The forest edges around the Rotorua lakes district are more accessible, and mountain biking and off-road driving attract visitors to certain areas. The Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park, adjacent to the Kaingaroa plateau, offers a contrast to the plantation with its ancient podocarp forest — a more accessible and visitor-friendly experience.
Where to Learn More
Wikipedia — Kaingaroa Forest covers the plantation’s history, scale, ownership and forestry operations in detail.
Kaingaroa Timberlands is the company managing the commercial forestry operation — their site explains the scale and management of the plantation.
Wikipedia — Kaingaroa (village) covers the village’s demographics, history and community development since the return of land to iwi.
Te Ara — Kaingaroa State Forest provides historical context for the plantation’s development as a state forestry project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Kaingaroa Forest from Rotorua?
The village of Kaingaroa is about 50 kilometres southeast of Rotorua — approximately 50 to 60 minutes by road via SH38 toward Murupara.
Is Kaingaroa Forest the biggest forest in New Zealand?
Yes — it is the largest plantation forest in New Zealand at approximately 2,900 square kilometres. It is also the second largest planted forest in the Southern Hemisphere, after the Sabie/Graskop plantation in South Africa.
Who owns Kaingaroa Forest?
The land was returned to its traditional iwi owners in 2009 as part of Treaty of Waitangi settlements. The trees are owned by Kaingaroa Timberlands Ltd, which holds a long-term forestry licence over the land.
Can the public access Kaingaroa Forest?
Public access is limited. The forest is a working commercial plantation with active logging operations and controlled road access. Some forest edge areas are accessible for recreation, but visitors should check current access conditions before entering forestry roads.
What trees are planted in Kaingaroa Forest?
Radiata pine makes up the majority, with Douglas fir the second most common species. The forest contains 50 species in total, maintained partly for biodiversity and partly to provide variety for the timber industry.
What happened to the Kaingaroa village community?
The village grew with the Forest Service and declined sharply when the Service was restructured in the 1980s. Since the land return to iwi in 2009, the community has been rebuilding with government support. Today around 420 people live there, approximately 98% Māori.
The nearby settlement of Ngakuru offers another glimpse of the district’s rural southern fringe, while Reporoa to the southwest shows the dairy farming side of the volcanic plateau.
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