"..in the grounds of the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust, near New Plymouth, only slightly smaller than the Bushy Park tree [WGR/0371] and with a tall trunk to the first branch (girth 10.9 m; height 33.8 m). Very prominent with this tree is the large hole left by the rotting of the rimu which the rata vine crushed before itself becoming a mighty tree. The tree was pictured in Edwin A Menniningers Fantastic Trees, a publication on tree marvels and monstrosities..." [1]

Pukeiti ("little hill") takes its name from the small volcanic cone immediately to the east of the gardens and is renowned for its rhododendron collection. Douglas Cook, of Eastwoodhill fame purchased the land, adjacent Egmont National Park, and donated it to the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust in the early 1950s. The garden is now run by the Taranaki Regional Council, along with Hollard Gardens and Tupare, the latter being the former residence of Russell Matthews, another of Pukeiti's founders [2].

This tree was a popular feature at Pukeiti, and was one of numerous massive rātā on the lower slopes of Taranaki. However, rapidly growing cracks and imminent structural collapse led to the tree being felled for safety in December 2020 [3]. The fallen tree has been left to decompose naturally.

Smillie, 2022

References:
1) S.W. Burstall & E.V. Sale, Great Trees of New Zealand, pp166-167, 1984
2) https://www.trc.govt.nz/gardens/pukeiti/
3) https://www.teaomaori.news/800-year-old-rata-felled-safety-reasons-taranaki