Sydenham Botanic Park Arbour Day

Here’s the team – ready for planting for Sydenham Botanic Park Arbour Day. GOF on the far right.

Sydenham Botanic Park is a unique little park, located on Millers road, beside the old Brookfield Primary School. The land was gifted to Tauranga residents by the late Frank Sydenham. It is home to one of the most complete collections of kauri (agathis) trees in the world. There are kauri trees from around the pacific rim, including our own native New Zealand kauri tree, Agathis Australis. There are other species from Australia, Fiji, the Philipines, Asia, and South America. Some of the trees are bearing cones which means that they can be used for propagating. The seedlings might be hybrids.

We planted 14 Cycads, 6 Kowhai, a Totara and about 15 climbers for gaps on the two pergolas. A nice friendly day out. Sydenham Botanic Park is one of those many hidden gems around Tauranga. You can walk down to the bottom of the park and all the way through along the street to Carmichael Reserve.

The trustees and advisory group who run the park are a very dedicated team. It is quiet, unassuming, and unsung groups like them, that help make Tauranga the great place that it is. Brian Hodge coordinated the day out, ending with muffins. We would not have turned up if Brian had not promised afternoon tea. Brian is the Chair of the Sydenham Botanic Park Advisory Group.

Candidates who were there: Ria Hall, Andrew Caie and myself for Mayor. Glen Crowther, Jim McKinley and Gerry Hodgson for ward councillors. I hope I havn’t missed anyone.