Kaingaroa Forest

Exquisite Kaingaroa Forest is the largest forest in the North Island of New Zealand, and the largest plantation in the southern hemisphere. The headquarters of the forest are at the small settlement of Kaingaroa, 50 kilometres southeast of Rotorua.

The privately owned forest covers 2900 km² in the inland East Cape and Bay of Plenty regions, and stretches south past the east coast of Lake Taupo. Until the 1980s it was owned as a state asset by the New Zealand government. While under government control it was known as the Kaingaroa State Forest.

The vast Kaingaroa Forest is predominantly planted in Pinus radiata, also known as Monterey pine. A native of California, Pinus radiata was introduced into New Zealand in the 19th century. It thrived, reaching maturity in around 28 years - much faster than in its native setting. The timber is widely used as a building material.