- IJ
Sidestep: Te Kamaka
At Piha, there is a large pohutukawa that grows out of the top of a large rock and has sent soots down into the soil beneath to sustain it. To Te Kawerau a Maki the rock with the tree on it was sacred and was known as Te Kamaka. It is a rare example of a named tapu tree in the Auckland Region and in on the WCC Schedule for protection.
Once Pakeha started visiting Piha, the bridle trail down the hill led past the tree and many stopped to have their photograph taken with the tree on the rock as the backdrop. The new Piha Road bypassed the tree which now stands in private property. It can be seen below the road just past the rock face descending into Piha.
I can find no Maori tradition about this tree and it is now surrounded by houses although I will try to find more about the significance of this tree and post it here when I can.
Click to view each photo. In order - the photos were taken in 1916, 1920, 1921, 1930, 1948, 1963 and 1970. There is nothing available in colour or anything more recent than 1970.
So...I managed to take my own this year. Click each photo for a clearer view.
This tree is supposed to be protected. It has a swing hanging from it which poses no real threat of damage and all around the base are non-natives that cover the rock. At the rear (not shown) is another tree (I could not identify it) that is growing up into the branches of Te Kamaka. The tree does look strong and not in any real danger of damage but it is a pity the surrounding growth is not hacked back a bit.
