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Kauri Gum
Kauri gum is a resin which bleeds from the kauri tree. If the bark is damaged or a branch is broken by the wind, the resin bleeds out and seals the wound. This prevents rot or water getting into the tree. Kauri gum can build up into a lump which goes hard. As the tree grows the bark is continually shed and the kauri gum is forced off and falls onto the ground around the tree. This process has been happening for millions of years, long before mankind began to use kauri gum. Many years ago, there were vast quantities of gum in the ground. Click here to read more about the Mighty Kauri Tree.
New Zealand has fossil kauri gum in coal dated 43 million years old. More recent kauri gum from 10,000 to 30,000 years old is known as kauri copal (or resinite). Kauri gum was collected from the ground by picking up the exposed pieces on the surface. As this disappeared, gum diggers probed in the ground with gum spears to find the gum, then dug it up with spades.
Trees were also a source of gum. Kauri gum collectors would chip pieces of old hard gum from the branches and heads of trees where it had collected for many years. They also cut the trees to bleed fresh gum. This was collected later after it had developed into a hard lump. If you’re interested in kauri timber, click here to find out more!
Uses of Kauri Gum
Kauri gum was used by the Maori people for cooking and lighting because it burns very easily. It was also used as a pigment to make the dark colour in tattoos, and as a chewing gum.
Kauri Gum in The Kauri Museum
Examples of exquisitely beautiful polished kauri gum are on display at The Kauri Museum, Matakohe. Special pieces were polished and carved to make extremely beautiful collection pieces. The Kauri Museum has the largest kauri gum collection on display in the world.
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