Tane Mahuta Day

Kaikohe West Primary School Room Three pupils jumped at the chance to plant a young kauri at their school on Tane Mahuta day last Friday.

The eight and nine-year-olds enjoyed the opportunity to learn first-hand about planting trees, the kauri itself, and the tree’s significance to our natural environment.

Similar planting ceremonies were held at 30 other schools throughout the Far North who took advantage of the Far North District Council’s offer of a free tree to celebrate the kauri’s contribution to our forests.

Far North Mayor Yvonne Sharp says the day is an opportunity for young people to learn about the importance of conservation and particularly the importance of sustaining our unique kauri tree.

Tane Mahuta day was first celebrated in 2002 when more than 40 schools took part in the planting. Each year since then, a similar number of Far North schools have taken part in Kauri planting ceremonies held on the last Friday in July.