As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, we’re sharing the story of the trees and acknowledging everyone who has helped care for them. If you purchased a sapling, we’d love to see how it is growing. Please email a photograph of your tree to us for our storyboard.

2008–09 | Kauri dieback detected
Kauri dieback was identified on the McCahon House property, raising concern for the trees and their future.

2012–14 | Seeds collected and grown
With advice from Dr Nick Waipara, seeds were collected from the McCahon House kauri in 2014. Auckland Botanic Gardens helped grow a new generation of seedlings.

2017 | The first sapling fundraiser
McCahon House partnered with The Kauri Project to offer the saplings as a fundraiser. The collaboration supported both organisations’ work and raised awareness of kauri dieback. Read about the project.

2019–22 | A second generation and Kauri Ora
More seedlings were grown in 2019 and nurtured at Plant & Food Research in Pukekohe. In 2022, saplings featured alongside artworks and prints at the Kauri Ora exhibition in Auckland.

2025 | Caring for kauri
On the 29th January 2025, 24 trees on the McCahon Hosue site were surveyed and treated with phosphite by BioSense. Our focus on kauri health and care continued with a community workshop led by Dr Mels Barton of Kauri Rescue later that year.