This simply magnificent photographic, natural and scientific book that highlighted the treasure of the forest for the anti milling campaign. By John Morton, John Ogden and Tony Hughes with photos by Ian Macdonald. Published in 1984.(now out of print.) Gigantic trees, rushing rivers, diverse habitats and a fascinating past are just some of the features of Whirinaki Forest Park. This was one of New Zealand’s most famous conservation battlegrounds, where people actively fought to save a magnificent native forest. Whirinaki Forest Park forms a boundary between the exotic Kaingaroa pine plantations to the west and Te Urewera National Park to the east. The Forest Park stretches over 55,000 hectares from near Murupara in the north to the Napier–Taupo highway in the south. Mäori & Päkehä connections to the forest Mäori have lived in the Whirinaki Valley probably as long as the oldest trees still standing. The oldest inhabitants were believed to have been ‘te Tini o te Marangaranga’, who were conquered by Wharepakau and his nephew Tangiharuru, descendants of Toi the great Mäori chief. Through this conquest, Wharepakau and Tangiharuru, with their people, occupied the lands in the Whirinaki and Rangitaiki Valleys. Their descendants have since lived in the district, although they were forced to leave the area for a short time. Wharepakau returned to the Whirinaki Valley and settled at Te Whaiti. It is from this ancestor that the tribe Ngäti Whare originated. Spiral Bound - some damage to the spiral and cover has some fading. Some water damage to the edges of some of the back pages. Excellent content and colour photos.