


Description
Massive Rata Timber Slab – Rare NZ Native Hardwood – 3.6m x 1.2m RRP: $10,000+ | Collector’s Grade | Air-Dried Over 10 Years
A truly one-of-a-kind showpiece — this massive Rata slab is among the largest ever milled from New Zealand’s native forests.
Recovered with true grit from deep in a dead Rata forest in New Plymouth (2012–2013), our bushmen spent six months on-site to bring out a limited number of these spectacular slabs. Salvaged under MPI-approved conditions, this piece has been air-dried for over a decade and lightly sanded to reveal its rich natural colours and grain.
Specifications:
- Length: 3600mm
- Width: 1200mm (widest) / 1000mm (narrow end)
- Thickness: 140mm
- Estimated Weight: ~500kg
- Drying: Air-dried 10+ years
- Surface: Top face sanded to #40 grit
- Optional Kiln Drying: To 12–14% moisture content for +$500
Truly Unique: This is likely the only Rata slab of this size available in the world — possibly the largest ever milled. A tree of this scale would have lived for well over a thousand years before falling naturally. An extraordinary opportunity for collectors, designers, or master woodworkers.
About Rata Timber (Metrosideros spp.): Rata is one of New Zealand’s rarest and densest native hardwoods, revered for:
- Deep red to purple hues that darken with age
- Tight, interlocked grain
- Outstanding density: up to 1140 kg/m³ (Southern Rata)
- Traditional use in Maori carving, shipbuilding, and heavy construction
Legally Sourced: This slab was cut from a naturally fallen Rata tree (likely killed by possum damage), recovered under strict MPI guidelines. Milling of standing trees is prohibited in NZ.
Ideal For:
- Boardroom or luxury dining table
- Museum-grade feature or sculptural installation
- Architectural bench or premium fit-out
- Heirloom furniture
- Collector-grade timber projects
Pickup & Delivery:
- Pickup from Kumeu, Auckland
- Freight available NZ-wide — contact us for a custom quote
Details
Shipping & pick-up options
Destination & description | Price | |
---|---|---|
To be arranged | N/A | |
Pick-up available from Kumeu, Auckland | Free |
Payment Options
Pay instantly by card, Ping balance or saved bank account.
Cash, NZ Bank Deposit