Te Urewera National Park

Te Urewera National Park was founded in 1954 to protect the largest remaining virgin forests on New Zealand’s North Island.  It stretches between Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay in the east of the island, and has an area of 2,127 square kilometers.  It is the largest national park in the northern part of New Zealand.
The park is located in one of the most remote and sparsely populated regions of New Zealand.  It is largely not compromised, being almost completely forested wilderness.  The terrain of Te Urewera is characterized by the mountain ranges of Huiau and Ikawhenua.  The highest peak in the national park is the Manuhoa, rising to 1393 meters.  There are traces of earlier geologic volcanic eruptions.

Numerous lakes, rivers, and waterfalls all contribute to the great scenic diversity of Te Urewera National Park.  Depending on the terrain and altitude the climate varies in the park, but generally temperatures are moderate with high rainfall.  In the southern part, at higher altitudes, snow falls in winter.
The vegetation varies according to location, altitude, soil conditions, and other natural conditions.  The predominant tree species are Beech, Rimu, Rata, and Tawa.  Many particularly rare species of fauna grow in the park.  Extinct or severely threatened species exist throughout New Zealand.  Among them is the rare hemline beak duck, found alive only in fast-flowing waters.