'Incredibly generous': Pūkaha Forest now belongs to people of Aotearoa New Zealand 1 May, 2021 10:45 PM 2 minutes to read Pūkaha Forest was gifted to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand by the Rangitāne iwi in a ceremony on Saturday. Photo / Steve Carle Pūkaha Forest was gifted to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand by the Rangitāne iwi in a ceremony on Saturday. Photo / Steve Carle Hawkes Bay Today Pūkaha Forest now belongs to the people of New Zealand after it was gifted by Rangitāne iwi over the weekend. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern attended the gifting ceremony at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, near Mt Bruce, on Saturday where 942 hectares of native forest - home to native birds and important conservation work - was gifted to the nation.