Crimson carpet a capital backdrop

Posted on 12 July 2007







HELPING HAND - Lambton Ward councillor Ian McKinnon turned up to lend a hand to Wadestown Side School pupils who planted rata on Tinakori Hill. He is pictured with five-year-old Harriet Leslie (left) and Bridget Olphert, also aged five.

ABOUT 60 five- and six-year-olds from Wadestown Side School donned hats, gloves and boots and headed to Tinakori Hill to plant 1000 northern rata trees on the south facing slopes recently. Their efforts were part of Project Crimson, which aims to re-establish rata and pohutukawa (Metrosideros genus) in their natural habitats nationwide. This is the third year of a five-year partnership Project Crimson Trust has with Wellington City Council, planting 1500 northern rata trees each year on Tinakori Hill.

"The school has really embraced the planting project and has supported it for three years now," says Project Crimson spokesperson Bridget Abernethy.
Northern rata (Metrosideros robusta) are indigenous to the Wellington area and the trees planted on Tinakori Hill come from locally sourced seed. The trees grow to between 25 and 30 metres tall, have crimson blooms like pohutukawa and can live to 1000 years of age.

Wellington City Council provides support for the project, which includes clearing areas for planting, providing staff to assist, and support from nursery staff.
Project Crimson is a national charitable trust established in 1990 to protect pohutukawa and rata. Its principle sponsor is Meridian Energy. Project Crimson funds more than 70 projects annually that support the protection and enhancement of pohutukawa and rata in New Zealand.