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Scoop
5 days ago
- General
- Scoop
The Otago Chook Tree Wins 2025 Tree Of The Year New Zealand
Press Release – NZ Notable Trees Trust More than just a quirky tree, The Chook Tree is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the charm of the unexpected. Its story clearly struck a chordOtago voters got behind their local legend in large numbers, securing the win by a comfortable … The NZ Notable Trees Trust is thrilled to announce that The Chook Tree, a remarkable macrocarpa (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa) in North Otago, has been named the 2025 Tree of the Year New Zealand. Shaped as much by nature as by imagination, this one-of-a-kind tree has delighted passersby for nearly 50 years with its unmistakable resemblance to a giant hen. Originally damaged in a storm in 1978, the tree's unusual silhouette caught the eye of local poultry farmers Norman and Evelyn Clarke. Rather than remove it, they carefully shaped what remained—coaxing out a feathery, full-bodied form that has since become a beloved regional landmark. More than just a quirky tree, The Chook Tree is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the charm of the unexpected. Its story clearly struck a chord—Otago voters got behind their local legend in large numbers, securing the win by a comfortable margin. This year's competition saw the highest level of public engagement since the award began in 2022, with spirited voting across all six finalists. The runner-up was the much-loved Rangiora Borough School Redwood; another tree deeply embedded in its local community. The Tree of the Year campaign is organised by the NZ Notable Trees Trust and proudly sponsored by Delta. Each year, the campaign celebrates outstanding trees that are part of New Zealand's cultural and natural heritage—trees that shape our communities and stand as living landmarks. Brad Cadwallader, Trustee of the NZ Notable Trees Trust, said: ' This year's result shows just how much New Zealanders love a great story—and a tree with real personality. While all six finalists were remarkable in their own right, there was something about The Chook Tree's quirky shape and down-to-earth origin that really struck a chord with the public. It's a reminder that trees don't have to be ancient or enormous to be meaningful—they just need to make us smile, spark curiosity, or remind us of who we are. This tree did all three.' Tree of the Year New Zealand is an annual celebration of the country's most loved and remarkable trees. Run by the NZ Notable Trees Trust, the contest invites public nominations from across Aotearoa, with six standout finalists selected each year for their significance, character, or unique story. Voting takes place throughout the month of June, giving New Zealanders the chance to show their support and help crown a tree that holds a special place in our national landscape For more information on The Chook Tree and other historic and notable trees in New Zealand, please visit the NZ Tree Register at [ ]. About NZ Notable Trees Trust and NZ Tree Register Established in 2007, the NZ Notable Trees Trust documents and celebrates New Zealand's arboreal heritage. It maintains the NZ Tree Register—an open-access online database showcasing notable and historic trees throughout Aotearoa. About Delta Utility Services Delta is a proud sponsor of Tree of the Year NZ, supporting initiatives that celebrate and protect New Zealand's natural heritage. As New Zealand's smart-thinking infrastructure specialists, Delta helps communities thrive—keeping the lights on, the parks green, and the trees trimmed.
Otago Daily Times
16-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Giant redwood, cabbage tree cluster in running for national title
By Shelley Topp Rangiora Borough School's giant redwood and a cluster of cabbage trees in Burnside have been named as finalists in the NZ Tree of the Year competition. The redwood tree was named Waimakariri Tree of the Year earlier this year, while the enduring cluster of tī kōuka/cabbage trees at Burnside High School - known as Te Herenga Ora - has been called a "silent sentinel of history". The towering Sequoiadendron giganteum in Rangiora, which is believed to have been planted in about 1860, and Te Herenga Ora are two of the 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." Meanwhile, the NZ Notable Trees Trust said what makes Te Herenga Ora truly remarkable is its living legacy. "It is not just a single tree but a self-sustaining cluster, constantly renewing itself as older trees pass and new ones take their place. "This cycle of renewal ensures that the landmark remains intact, a testament to endurance, resilience, and the deep-rooted connection between land and people."
