Story: Kauri gum and gum digging

Oozing gum

Oozing gum

Kauri gum or resin fills in damaged areas of a tree, protecting it from attack by other organisms. The trees can live for over 1,000 years, so the amount of gum produced in one tree’s lifetime can be considerable.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Alastair McLean

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Kauri gum and gum digging - Origin and early uses', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/12948/oozing-gum (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 24 Sep 2007