Invercargill will mark the King’s Coronation by planting a Rimu in Queens Park’s Ron Petrie NZ Plant Garden, today (6 May) at 11am.

Invercargill City Council (ICC), along with other councils throughout Aotearoa, has been invited to take part in the national celebration and commmoration of the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla by the Department of Internal Affairs.

ICC Chief Executive Michael Day said that it was suggested that, due to the King’s affinity with nature and the outdoors, Council plant a native tree to commemorate the historic event.

“We considered several places around Invercargill to plant this special tree,” Day said.

“It was decided that the Ron Petrie NZ Plant Garden was the best and most appropriate place, and is easily accessed by visitors to our park.”

Footage of the ceremony sent to the Department of Internal Affairs for inclusion in a national, televised celebration commemorating the coronation on Sunday, 7 May at 1pm.

The public are invited to the ceremony, which would also be attended by ICC Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell and councillors. The Mayor was unable to attend due to a bereavement, Day said.

Meanwhile Southland District Council Mayor Rob Scott will plant a native tree at the Alex McKenzie Memorial Arboretum near Otautau, at 11am today, in honour of the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, King of New Zealand, and Her Majesty Queen Camilla.

Gore District Council will be planting a Norwegian Maple tree at the south entrance of Bannerman Park.