Phantom Rātā

High on the eastern slopes above Lake Ōkataina in the Bay of Plenty, cloaked in silence and shadow, stands The Phantom — a northern rātā of striking presence and quiet strength. It began life in the crown of another tree, sending roots down that gradually fused into a solid trunk. The result is a tree that looks almost sculpted by time and nature.

The Phantom is a survivor of the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption, and volcanic ash still rests in the forks of its crown. It may not be the largest rātā, but it is no less commanding — a hauntingly beautiful presence that evokes awe in all who encounter it.

To stand before The Phantom is to sense the quiet endurance of a tree that has weathered centuries. Vote for The Phantom — because some stories are told in roots and ash, and greatness often stands in silence.