Pacific Kauri
Scientific name: Agathis macrophylla
Overview
Pacific Kauri is a large coniferous tree native to several islands in the South Pacific, including Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. It is closely related to the well-known New Zealand Kauri and shares many similar characteristics, including its light color, straight grain, and excellent workability.
The wood is valued for its uniform texture and smooth finishing qualities, making it suitable for a wide range of woodworking applications. Historically, Pacific Kauri has been used in boatbuilding, cabinetry, and construction throughout the Pacific region due to its stability and ease of machining.
Watch Video Overview
Watch a visual overview of this species including grain patterns, color variation, working characteristics, and common woodworking uses.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Pacific Kauri
- Scientific Name: Agathis macrophylla
- Region: Oceania & Pacific Hardwoods (Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and surrounding Pacific islands)
- Tree Size: 100–160 ft tall, 4–8 ft trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: 33 lbs/ft³ (530 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: 580 lbf
- Color: Pale cream to light golden brown
- Grain: Straight
- Texture: Fine and uniform
Identification Characteristics
Pacific Kauri typically displays a pale cream to light golden-brown color with very little contrast between earlywood and latewood. The grain is usually straight and the wood has a fine, even texture that gives it a smooth appearance when finished.
Key identification traits include:
- Pale cream to light golden-brown color
- Straight and uniform grain
- Fine texture
- Smooth, clean appearance
Working Properties
Pacific Kauri is considered easy to work with and has long been favored for woodworking and construction applications. The wood machines smoothly and accepts finishes well.
- Machines easily with hand and power tools
- Cuts cleanly with minimal tear-out
- Gluing and finishing properties are excellent
- Sands to a very smooth surface
- Stable when properly dried
Safety Note
Pacific Kauri is generally considered safe to work with. As with most woods, wood dust may cause irritation in sensitive individuals, so proper dust collection and protective equipment are recommended.
Common Uses
Pacific Kauri is widely used for woodworking and construction because of its smooth texture and excellent workability.
- Boatbuilding
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior joinery
- Paneling
- Carving
Sustainability & Notes
Pacific Kauri forests occur across several South Pacific island nations. In some regions, harvesting is regulated to protect remaining forests. Plantation forestry and responsible management practices are increasingly used to ensure sustainable supply.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
New Zealand Kauri – A closely related species with very similar appearance and woodworking characteristics.
Totara – Another important New Zealand timber with greater natural durability.
Rimu – A darker New Zealand softwood with more pronounced grain pattern.
Related Guides
How to Identify Exotic Hardwood by Grain Pattern
Pacific Kauri’s straight and uniform grain makes it a good example of fine-textured coniferous timber.
Moisture Content & Long-Term Stability
Proper drying ensures Pacific Kauri maintains the dimensional stability that makes it useful for cabinetry and joinery.
How to Store Exotic Wood Samples
Keeping Pacific Kauri samples in controlled humidity helps preserve their light color and smooth grain.
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
Pacific Kauri is a useful addition to wood collections because it represents the Pacific island conifer group. Samples typically display a pale color and very even texture, which contrasts nicely with the darker hardwoods commonly found in the Oceania region.
Video Overview
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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.
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