Lone tree ‘symbolic’
On a sunny Wellington afternoon next to a pathway that connects one part of Rongotai to another, a single tree was planted, watched by about 100 children and their parents.
The pathway is ‘‘symbolic,’’ according to Rongotai MP Paul Eagle, of another pathway his community began on, after 51 lives were lost in the Christchurch mosque attacks on March
15 last year – a pathway to ‘‘a better and more understanding future’’.
The planting of the Northern Rata tree, which is now a
‘tree of remembrance’, used mulch created from the thousands of bouquets of flowers laid at Kilbirnie Mosque and Te Nga¯kau Civic Square, following the attacks.
The idea was first proposed by Ruka Rarere, co-founder of the Lyall Bay Dads Club, who worked with members of the Kilbirnie Mosque and Wellington City Council to ensure the floral arrangements could be used in a positive way.
Previously, the drawings, cards, toys and other mementoes left outside the mosque and in Te Nga¯kau Civic Square, were collected up and donated to Lyall Bay
School, where pupils used them to create artwork.
Yesterday’s tree planting took place at Rongotai College during the annual Good in the Hood event, an end-of-year community celebration.
After a short ceremony with speeches, the tree was planted and will now be cared for by Lyall Bay School gardener Amy Revell.
At least 30 children lined up in single file for their turn to shovel a pile of mulch onto the newly planted tree.
In the weeks following the attacks, International Muslim Association of New Zealand president Tahir Nawaz said he was approached many times by Rarere, wanting to know how the group could help and the idea was born. He also said the tree was ‘‘symbolic’’.
‘‘My prayer is that once we plant this tree, the roots of the tree will grow and it will strengthen our relationship with the rest of the communities, this is my wishes ... it will also bring us closer as a community, more diversified and more accepting of each other,’’ he said.
Eagle said he was proud of the Dads Club and the wider community. ‘‘I love their community spirit ... It was horrific what happened, but it was also a day of reckoning for all New Zealanders who values community, compassion and the Kiwi way of life.’’