New Zealand Kauri
Scientific name: Agathis australis
Overview
New Zealand Kauri is one of the most historically significant timbers of the Pacific region. Native to the northern parts of New Zealand, it is known for its large tree size, straight grain, and pale golden coloration.
Although botanically a conifer, Kauri produces a dense, workable timber that has been widely used in shipbuilding, architectural construction, furniture, and interior joinery. Ancient buried Kauri — preserved in peat bogs for thousands of years — has become particularly prized in specialty markets.
Kauri is valued for its stability, ease of machining, and clean, refined appearance.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: New Zealand Kauri
- Scientific Name: Agathis australis
- Region: Oceania & Pacific Hardwoods (New Zealand)
- Tree Size: 100–160 ft tall, 6–12 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 31 lbs/ft³ (500 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 670 lbf
- Color: Pale cream to light golden brown
- Grain: Straight
- Texture: Fine and uniform
Identification Characteristics
Kauri is identified by its pale to warm golden heartwood and straight, uniform grain. The texture is fine and smooth, lacking prominent pores or strong figure.
Boards are typically clear and free of heavy knots, especially in historical material harvested from large mature trees. The wood develops a soft luster when finished.
Key identification traits include:
- Pale golden tone
- Straight, even grain
- Fine texture
- Moderate weight
- Clean, knot-free appearance in clear grades
Working Properties
New Zealand Kauri is considered easy to work.
- Machines cleanly
- Sands smoothly
- Glues reliably
- Accepts finishes evenly
- Stable when properly dried
Its consistent grain makes it suitable for large panel work and interior construction.
Safety Note
Wood dust may cause irritation in sensitive individuals. Standard dust protection is recommended.
Common Uses
New Zealand Kauri common uses including:
- Boat building (historically)
- Interior architectural joinery
- Furniture
- Paneling
- Cabinetry
- Veneer
Ancient Kauri is often used in high-end tables and specialty slabs.
Sustainability & Notes
Modern harvesting of New Zealand Kauri is heavily restricted due to conservation efforts. Most commercial Kauri available today comes from reclaimed material or ancient buried logs excavated from peat swamps.
Ancient Kauri can be thousands of years old and is marketed as a premium specialty wood.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
Australian Red Cedar – A lightweight hardwood with similar color and workability, commonly used in furniture and interior woodworking.
Coachwood – A fine-textured Australian hardwood often used in cabinetry and interior applications, typically lighter and more uniform in grain.
Tasmanian Myrtle – A decorative hardwood used in furniture and interior woodworking, generally denser and richer in color than Queensland Maple.
Related Guides
How to Identify Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Kauri demonstrates straight, uniform grain typical of large conifer timbers.
Moisture Content & Long-Term Stability
Proper acclimation is essential for wide panels and slab material.
Building a Documented Wood Collection
Ancient Kauri samples are particularly valuable for documentation due to age and provenance.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
New Zealand Kauri is highly collectible, especially ancient or “bog Kauri” material. Its pale golden color and uniform grain provide contrast within a dense hardwood collection. Provenance significantly impacts collector value — documented ancient material is especially desirable. Clear, wide samples best represent its clean structural character.
Share Your Photos of This Species
Do you have lumber, wood samples, tree photographs, woodworking projects, furniture, carvings, turnings, musical instruments, or other items made from this species?
Exotic Woods of the World welcomes photographs from woodworkers, collectors, sawyers, researchers, and wood enthusiasts around the world. Selected submissions may be featured on this page and throughout our website to help document and showcase real-world examples of this species.
When submitting photos, please include the common name, scientific name (if known), a brief description, and any information you would like us to share with the image.
Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
Lumber Suppliers:
Availability varies — see the Where to Buy Exotic Woods page for current sources.
Related Tools & Products:
• 3M Half Facepiece Reusable Respirator for protection against dust and airborne particles during sanding and woodworking
https://amzn.to/4wKyJoK
• Klein Tools ET140 Pinless Moisture Meter for non-destructive moisture detection in wood, drywall, and masonry
https://amzn.to/4upDKSd
• Pro Grade 2-Inch Foam Brush Set for applying stains, oils, finishes, and sealers to woodworking projects
https://amzn.to/4drOpWx
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