Te Kamaka about 50 years ago. Photo from JT Diamond Coll Waitakere Library

This large pohutukawa grows out of the top of a large rock and has sent soots down into the soil beneath to sustain it. To Te Kawerau a Maki the rock with the tree on it was sacred and was known as Te Kamaka. It is a rare example of a named tapu tree in the Auckland Region and in on the WCC Schedule for protection.

Once Pakeha started visiting Piha, the bridle traildown the hill  led past the tree and many stopped to have their photograph taken with the tree on the rock as the backdrop.

The new Piha Road bypassed the tree which now stands in  private property. It can be seen below the road just past the rocky face descending Piha Hill.