On 21 July 1919, seventeen trees were planted along Hall Road (now Halver Road) near the old Manurewa Borough Council building. Most of the trees represented local Manurewa men who died during the First World War, while one was planted in honour of Nurse Edith Cavell.
Over the years, all the trees died or were removed to make way for footpaths. Manurewa Local Board Chair Angela Dalton says it is timely that – during the centenary of the First World War – a new memorial tree is planted.
“We wish to keep alive the memory of the fallen that led to the dedication of the original tree plantings,” she says.
“Time and our changing environment should not be allowed to eradicate the memorials of our past. The Peace Memorial Tree is a symbol of the local sacrifice made for world peace. Our hope is it serves as an appropriate dedication in remembrance of our brave soldiers.”
On Saturday 4 July, a civic service took place at Arlene Shultz Park to plant of a commemorative London plane tree.
