The Swamp Kauri is consider to be one of the rarest timber of the world, indeed is found only in a small area in the far northland of new Zealand. However similar species are largely available in the South East Asia, the Swamp Kauri is unique thanks to it’s age, it is indeed the oldest timber of the world…..these trees died in consequence of earthquakes and other natural events 30/40/50 thousands years ago and remained without decay under the mud till our days. Swamp Kauris are extracted from under the ground exactly like ore, then are dated using the method of Carbon 14 at the University of Waikato. The incredible fact is that despite the permanence under the mud for millenniums the timber is still in perfect condition without any decay or fossilisation process., it is workable like a fresh timber. Today, “The WoodMine” exports this wonder of nature from New Zealand to the Old Continent and Riva 1920 transforms the Kauri in real pieces of art with the design of the most famous architects of the world. Designers can use their creativity freely thanks to the extraordinary dimension of the trees which are for cubic meters of the trunk the biggest of the world, indeed Kauri trees can reach 9 meters of diameter and almost 70 meters of height. Swamp Kauri the real giant of the Vegetable Kingdom is also the most ecological timber of the world, is the only timber that can be used without cutting any plant, not even re-forestation plants. This fact of excavate the timber rather than cut the plant has inspired the name of the company “The WoodMine”.

Since it’s rarity and exclusivity, Kauri is used for out of the ordinary applications like, one piece tables without joints and boards, only one single slab which measure from 2 meters up to 12 meters like the table shown in the photos. It can be used to carve from one single piece of roots a spa pool. Swamp Kauri is also used for the making of beautiful timber floor and magnificent panelling and furnitures.

Swamp Kauri is a non renewable resource as any other ore, consequently it won’t last for ever, it is estimated that in 10 or 20 years could be finish, but nobody really knows for how long it will still be available. Maybe Kauri tables and other products could see raise their value due to the increased rarity.