Four weeks ago, trees were planted next to Rakipaoa!
These Kahikatea or also known as white pines are New Zealand’s tallest native evergreen trees and can grow up to 60 meters high and live for 600 years.
A ceremony was organised by Kōka (Ms Gilchrist), as a welcoming to the trees. The karakia, a ritual prayer or incantation to bless, to honour and protect the trees was recited. This established a connection between the physical world and the spiritual world of the forest.
The trees were planted in the shape of the Matakiki constellation. These living monuments, dedicated to the stars Tupuānuku, Tupuārangi, Ururangi and Matariki, will grow towards the clouds, mirroring how the cluster appears in the night sky.
Last week, four new trees were added around the Kahikateas: a Totara, a Matai, a Lancewood and a Pokaka (the first in Burnside)! In total, we now have nine trees, representing all the stars of the Matariki cluster.
If you have time, just go behind Rakipaoa to have a look! This was a big project designed by the Sustainability Council and supported by the Environment Club. Who knows, maybe these trees will still be living after centuries!
Article written by Livia Escriva and Eshika Renjith Nair.
