16-06-2025
School's giant redwood in running for national title
Shane Buckner and his pupils holding a poster asking the North Canterbury community to vote for their "beautiful tree" at . Photo: Shane Buckner
Rangiora Borough School's giant redwood is a finalist for the New Zealand Tree of the Year.
It comes after the tree was named Waimakariri Tree of the Year earlier this year.
The towering Sequoiadendron giganteum, which is believed to have been planted around 1860, is one of six finalists chosen by a panel of judges.
It is now up to the New Zealand public to choose which one of them will become 'Tree of the Year NZ 2025'.
The competition is organised by the NZ Notable Trees Trust as a celebration of the "beloved trees that shape our landscapes, memories, and communities", says trustee Brad Cadwallader.
"It was inspired by the long-running European Tree of the Year and shares stories of trees that hold cultural, historical, and personal significance."
Rangiora Borough School principal Shane Buckner said it was exciting to learn the "beautiful tree" was a finalist in the national competition.
The tree has become a living symbol of continuity, pride and belonging at the school.
"It has featured in many designs over the 150 years Rangiora Borough School has been part of the community," Buckner said.
"Our updated uniform has a stylish representation of our tree in the side panels of the shirt, and our children wear this with pride."
The tree is the "focal point" of the school with a stage built around its trunk dedicated to the tamariki of Rangiora Borough School.
Pupils can "sing, dance and play on for many generations to come" on the stage in memory of the late Alan Sutton who was principal at the school from 2001-2021.
"The stage area provides a number of opportunities for our children to gather and use in a variety of ways, from performance or just for relaxing," Buckner says.
He is hoping Canterbury residents will support the school by voting for its tree in the national competition.
The Waimakariri competition was run by the Waimakariri District Council greenspace team.
Council senior ranger biodiversity Mike Kwant is also calling on the Canterbury community to vote for the giant redwood.
"We are thrilled that our Rangiora Borough School giant redwood has been selected as a finalist," Kwant says.
"I am sure you all will be keen to promote this Waimakariri District tree by voting for it, and sharing this around the traps to get as many votes as we can muster."
