Moko Tree

An ancient Rimu tree estimated

to be at least 800 years old peeks through the canopy at Otari-Wilton’s Bush. These remarkable, slow-growing trees can only be found in

New Zealand

. Park officials erected a platform around the ancient Rimu tree, nicknamed ‘Moko,’ to protect its fragile roots system.

The botanical garden and forest preserve is a reminder of what New Zealand’s landscape was like before the arrival of European settlers. Upon arrival, European settlers quickly cleared the land for development and farming. John Wilton, a farmer, fenced off a portion of land to preserve the native forest.

This area, now known as Otari-Wilton’s Bush, became New Zealand’s only botanical garden dedicated to endemic plants. The park is also home to 1,200 native plant species and endemic animal species including kākāriki, koura, river eels, and glowworms.