Eastwoodhill Arboretum

I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the evening (Sign).

May I specifically greet you: Lee Newman, Chairperson of the Eastwoodhill Arboretum Trust Board, your husband Bill and your fellow trustees; John Clarke, Chairperson of the Centennial Committee, your wife Barbara, and your fellow committee members;  Bob Berry and your wife Lady Anne Berry ; Your Worship Meng Foon, Mayor of Gisborne and your wife Ying; staff and volunteers, notably Paul Wynen and your wife Shirley; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. 

Thank you for inviting my wife Susan and I to attend this Celebration Dinner to mark the centenary of the Eastwoodhill Arboretum. 

I have been asked to present “The Eastwoodhill Trust Board Centennial Award” this evening, and just before doing so I would like to make a few comments about the significance of these gardens and the many volunteers that are behind it.

Unlike more than one of my predecessors, I am not a green thumb person and any essential vice-regal tips on dealing with blight, canker or root rot, will have to be referenced to my wife Susan, who is a keen and accomplished gardener.

However I can claim some experience in this role of planting trees.   I've planted several in Auckland and Wellington, one on Niue, one on the Chatham Islands, one in the Hawke’s Bay, one in New Plymouth and most recently one here at Eastwoodhill earlier today. Indeed, I think I have planted sufficient trees in my time as Governor-General to warrant applying for carbon credits when they come on stream.

Incidentally, I am aware that my predecessor, Sir Michael Hardie Boys, visited Eastwoodhill on 22 September 1998 to open the accommodation wing in the Douglas Cook Centre.  It is a pleasure therefore that I am able to be here today, in my role as Governor-General, twelve years on.

This 135 hectare  Arboretum, founded in 1910 by William Douglas Cook, is one of national significance. I am told that it is one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Northern Hemisphere trees south of the equator  which includes 170 species currently on the International Union for Conservation of Nature  world endangered list.

It is therefore not surprising that Eastwoodhill has been recognised by the New Zealand Gardens Trust as a ‘Garden of National Significance’ and officially named the “National Arboretum of New Zealand”.

Not surprisingly, autumn is a popular time for visitors to Eastwoodhill. While there is sustained interest throughout the year, the highlight in autumn is perhaps when deciduous trees such as oak, ash, maples and many others provide a display of vibrant colour.

Eastwoodhill is now celebrating 100 years and has come along way since the first trees were planted by Douglas Cook in 1910. With the passing of The Eastwoodhill Trust Act in 1975  and, subsequently, the establishment of the Eastwoodhill Trust Board, this Arboretum has been able to flourish and be enjoyed by New Zealanders and visitors from abroad.

With that in mind, I would like to take a moment to recognise the efforts of the hundreds of volunteers who have give their time and energy to Eastwoodhill. I understand that the Friends of Eastwoodhill Association are a dedicated group of volunteers literally forming a backbone of New Zealand’s National Arboretum. 

This is a fine example of how the spirit of volunteerism can be described as the glue that holds our society and economy together.

The ongoing development of these gardens shows that voluntary work has its own intrinsic benefits which include making friends and sometimes offers of employment, and also adds to the strength of the wider community.

The generosity of spirit that volunteers at Eastwoodhill possess is perhaps the most significant success factor for these gardens. I am sure that this Arboretum would not have advanced to the level that it has, were it not for the voluntary hours of work that been invested into it.

This leads naturally to mention of Bob Berry, who is being recognised this evening for his remarkable contributions to Eastwoodhill, who is a fine example. His significant contributions to this Arboretum over a 40 year period will be outlined in a few moments time.

In conclusion, I would like to add congratulations to Eastwoodhill Arboretum staff, friends, and supporters on reaching such an important milestone.  You have given life to the words of New Zealand writer Katherine Mansfield who once said:  "Grow things. Plant. Dig up. Garden. I feel with all the force of my being that 'happiness' is in these things."

And on that note of congratulation I will close in New Zealand's first language Māori, by offering everyone greetings and wishing you all good health and fortitude in your endeavours. 

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.