A new tree’s being planted in Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens and Eichardt’s will turn purple tomorrow to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III and The Queen Consort.
Queenstown council’s community services GM Kenneth Bailey says anyone’s welcome to attend the planting, starting at 11am, to help mark the historic occasion and symbolise the ‘‘deep-rooted personal connection’’ the new monarch has for the natural world.
‘‘Charles III has long been an advocate for conservation and biodiversity.
‘‘This ceremony will not only serve as a tribute to his dedication to protecting our planet, but also as a representation of our commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Aotearoa New Zealand for future generations,’’ Bailey says.
The coronation’s being marked by similar events all over NZ, celebrating the start of a $1 million nationwide planting effort.
In Queenstown, people are asked to gather at the band rotunda, with the planting being led by mayor Glyn Lewers before a commemorative plaque’s unveiled.
The ceremony will be supported with singing by local waiata group, Ngā Manu Hou, followed by a traditional British high tea.
People can then join in a procession to Queenstown’s waterfront to watch the Eichardt’s building be illuminated in purple, in King Charles’ honour.
High tea planned
Queenstown’s Abbeyfield community has more reasons than most to toast King Charles’ coronation tomorrow.
Abbeyfield New Zealand chair Simon Hayes (pictured) says residents at the Frankton house will partake in a perfectly proper high tea at 3pm to mark the occasion, in honour of the man who’s been Abbeyfield’s long-standing global patron.
Last year, for the first time, two Kiwis, Martin Stephenson and Terry Foster, who were instrumental in starting the Abbeyfield house
in Auckland, were jointly awarded the international Prince of Wales Award for their service.
But Hayes isn’t sure if the soon-to-be-crowned King will continue as patron.
‘‘We’re probably not at the top of his priority list — getting a big crown on his head is probably more important,” he laughs.
