Rākau: The Ancient Forest of Aotearoa
Written and illustrated by Ned Barraud. Published by Te Papa Press September 2025
This beautifully illustrated hard cover book acts as a guide to the evolution, habitats and variety of the rākau (trees) and ngahere (forests) of Aotearoa, written and illustrated in award-winning Ned Barraud’s hallmark accessible, informative and captivating style.
Featuring gatefolds and framed throughout by core mātauranga Māori and the expertise of curators at Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, Rākau takes young readers from pre-history to the present day. It introduces key species and highlights the significance and use of different native trees and the impact of humans on their vitality.
Click on the link above to visit the Te Papa website where you can find out more about the book, author and where to purchase the book.
