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There was little fanfare, save for the haunting beauty of the national anthem sung in te reo Māori, and even less bling, save for the tiny commemorative badges pinned to a few lapels.
A ceremony in Wellington to mark the coronation of King Charles III this afternoon was as low-key as low-key can get. In fact so restrained was it that some of the press pack in attendance almost missed the most vital moment – a single shovelful of dirt being gently tapped around the roots of a tōtara sapling by Mayor Tory Whanau.
DAVID UNWIN/The Post
Digging in – Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau on the shovel.
After a short speech and the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the event, Whanau generously offered to repeat the action, this time accompanied by several of her council colleagues, amongst them deputy mayor Laurie Food and councillors Diane Calvert and Sarah Free.
The young tōtara, planted on a sheltered hillside near the Treehouse Visitor Centre in the Botanic Gardens is one of 100,000 native trees being planted across New Zealand to plant as part of He Rā Rākau Tītapu – King Charles III Coronation Plantings.
The $1m government-funded initiative, led by Trees That Count and the Department of Conservation, follows a similar programme of tree planting last year to mark the late Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins kicked the programme off last month, planting another tōtara in Parliament grounds, while Kapiti Coast District Council went nine better this week with Mayor Janet Holborow, mana whenua, local tamariki and rangatahi planting 10 kahikatea at Ferndale Reserve in Waikanae.
Wellington’s tōtara was grown at the council’s Berhampore nursery from locally sourced seed.
Whanau said the site – on a sheltered hillside near the Treehouse Visitor Centre in the Botanic Gardens – was a fitting location to plant what was both a living reminder of King Charles’ coronation, and his green credentials.
“His Majesty has a long history of conservation dating back many decades, to a time well before it was seen as essential to the survival of our planet.
DAVID UNWIN/The Post
Marking the coronation – the plaque on the hillside at Wellington’s Botanic Gardens.
“In that regard he was a conservation pioneer. His interests span from climate change and recycling to biodiversity. We are fortunate that our Monarch has such a deep understanding and empathy on these crucial issues.”
Coronation celebrations continue tonight with several prominent buildings and landmarks across the country– including Auckland Harbour Bridge and Parliament Buildings – lighting up in (royal) purple. Tomorrow will see gun salutes fired by the New Zealand Defence Force from Devonport and Point Jerningham and a community event at the Auckland Domain, where 400 saplings will be given away.
For those wanting a hands-on souvenir, New Zealand Post has issued a set of commemorative stamps and coins.
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