Ian McKean was a third-generation sheep and beef farmer whose real passion was growing and planting conifers (cone-bearing) trees. So much so, that the pinetum he began in 1958 is now home to more than 1500 trees planted across 14 hectares of rugged hill-country on the McKean family farm. With well-defined walking tracks, a gazebo to picnic in, and spectacular views of the mighty Mt Ruapehu, you can easily spend a few hours exploring and marveling at this collection of trees.

Today the pinetum is part of Queen Elizabeth II Trust and open for everyone to enjoy.

How to get there:
The Pinetum is between Rangiwahia and Āpiti. Turn into Renfrew Road at the Y intersection at Te Parapara Road and Main South Road. About 200m down the road the entrance to the Ian McKean Pinetum will be on the left. Park your car on the side of the road, cross over the stile into farmland and walk down the fence line, until you see an amazing collection of conifers stretching out in front of you.

A pinetum is a collection of trees that have been planted for ornamental or scientific purposes and it’s pronounced pine-ee-tum.