Rata

The Grove is the most amazing primeval spot incorporating cavernous labyrinths of bush, gigantic trees, massive rocksand a spectacular lookout spot. This is one of the most gigantic trees seemingly holding a colossal rock in a deadly embrace. A bit of googling and it appears it is a rata, a native tree. This is what the Department of Conservation has to say about it:
Northern rātā (Metrosideros robusta) is one of New Zealand's tallest flowering trees. It usually begins life as an epiphyte (or plant perched on a host tree) high in the forest canopy. Its roots grow down to the ground, finally enclosing the host tree and producing a huge tree up to 25 metres high with a trunk of 2.5 metres through. It is found throughout the North Island and in the South Island, south to about Westport.
Here the host is the rock. Southern rata grow up from the ground. Both specimens have amazing red flowers.
I should have asked Himself to stand under this tree to give some sense of scale. Believe me, it was humunegous (no sure how you spell this, nor does my spell checker). You can walk the walk here - the tree comes at the very end.
The weather  has now disintegrated and it's seriously lashing and we already have the curtains closed and the heat pump on at 5.30pm.