The Kauri

Short Film (Full Length) – 1978

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There was no time or thought to replace trees that had taken centuries to grow, and the remnants of ancient forests wept their resinous gum for the passing of an age.
– From the narration

For well over a century timber was the new colony’s main source of trade, when the plunder of the great forests was necessary for economic survival. Kauri logs for ships and logs and sawn timber went overseas, and most of the houses in Auckland, and 1000s throughout New Zealand were built of Kauri.
– From the narration

In the 1950s many believed the kauri as a species was doomed.
– From the narration

Nowadays much of the Hokianga seems left behind by the progress it once inspired.
– From the narration

This old building here is actually built on sledges, and in the old days Dad would pull it around with a team of bullocks from place to place and he’d use it for a trading office.
– Gum trader Dick Jurlina on his Dad’s prototype mobile office