Description

Beautiful Rata Timber Slab – Rare NZ Native Hardwood (2.75m) This auction is for one solid Rata timber slab, a rare and stunning piece sourced from New Plymouth under MPI-approved milling about 12 years ago. This is a true collector’s piece — rich in color, extremely dense, and highly sought after for fine furniture and artistic woodworking. Slab Dimensions: • Length: 2.75 meters • Width: 58–65–45 cm (natural live edge) • Thickness: 9 cm • Estimated Weight: ~150 kg • RRP: $2,500 (for this slab) Processing & Condition: • Top sanded to #40 grit to reveal its natural purple and reddish hues • Air-dried for 10 years • Optional kiln drying to 12–14% MC available for $100 (recommended for precision joinery) About Rata Wood: Rata is one of New Zealand’s rarest and most dense native hardwoods, valued for its fine grain, deep reddish-brown tones, and exceptional strength. • Northern Rata (Metrosideros robusta): Found throughout the North Island • Southern Rata (M. umbellata): Denser and found mainly on the South Island’s west coast • Density: • Northern Rata ~880 kg/m³ • Southern Rata up to ~1140 kg/m³ — among NZ’s heaviest hardwoods Perfect For: • High-end tabletops or kitchen benchtops • Heirloom-quality furniture • Artistic turning, carving, or joinery • Timber collectors or New Zealand native wood enthusiasts Pickup: Kumeu, Auckland Freight assistance available — please enquire for a quote