Totara trees once covered the hillsides of the Puhi Puhi valley. In the days of the tall ships the trees were greatly valued due to the woods resistance to rot and great strength. Most of the trees grew very straight making them ideal for mast making. Thankfully they are protected now and you must get a permit to cut one down or even process the wood from one that has fallen down on it's own.

In this picture the sun was just below the peak of one of the hills across the valley from me and as I passed this old trunk I saw this dramatic scene.