About the Kauri Gum research centre and databank
Kauri Gum R&D is here to record, track, study, educate & connect. protecting the story of kauri gum for future generations.
We work to educate people on the historical, cultural, and scientific importance of kauri gum a resource that once played a major role in New Zealand’s growth and identity, yet remains widely overlooked today.
Our purpose is to preserve both the specimens and the knowledge around them. That means helping track provenance, documenting finds, registering heirlooms, cataloging collections, and ensuring valuable history is not lost through time.
We also exist to connect the people who keep this story alive heirloom owners with researchers, landowners with responsible gum diggers, collectors with trusted information, and communities with new tourism and heritage opportunities.
By creating awareness, trust, and stronger connections, we aim to elevate the overall value and recognition of kauri gum for collectors, families, and the wider public.
What was once known around the world can be known again with its history respected, its science explored, and its legacy protected forever.
Controlled Storage Environment
Gum Databank server rooms are maintained as controlled environments, designed to support both digital infrastructure and also acts as the physical storage of kauri gum samples.
Temperature is stabilised at optimal levels (typically around 18°C) to minimise expansion, moisture interaction, and long-term degradation of subfossil gum. This controlled climate ensures samples remain structurally stable while also aligning with standard operating conditions for server hardware.
Each specimen is stored, logged, and linked to a live digital record within the databank system. Environmental conditions, storage location, and handling activity are continuously monitored to maintain consistency and traceability across all registered material.
By combining data systems with physical preservation, the Gum Databank ensures that both the sample and its information are protected under the same controlled conditions.
Consistent temperature.
Stable material.
Reliable data.