Tree Planting at FernGlen

Ladies and Gentlemen, I greet you in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and Sign Language.

Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and (Sign)

Specifically I greet you: Mayor of North Shore City Council, George Wood; Muriel Fisher and the Fisher family.

I thank you for this opportunity for my wife Susan and myself to plant a tree at FernGlen this morning.

Susan herself is a very enthusiastic gardener and was keen to accompany me to this particular event, having visited FernGlen many years ago.

We have also both been foot-soldier members of the RoyalForest and Bird Protection Society for many years and so today's tree planting strikes a personal chord with us both.

It is an added delight to find ourselves in such a peaceful and natural New Zealand setting, particularly one with such a long and inspirational history.

The Fisher family purchased this land in 1888 and began planting pohutukawa, rimu and kahikatea from the 1920s. We can see evidence of this early planting in the foliage around us.

Muriel Fisher's contribution to FernGlen began after she married Bill Fisher and became part of the Fisher family in 1952. I am advised that Mrs Fisher has been instrumental since then in both maintaining the gardens and in teaching interested visitors about growing native plants.

Indeed, Mrs Fisher has written a number of books on this subject, including "Gardening with New Zealand Plants, Shrubs and Trees" and "Gardening with New Zealand Ferns".

In this, she has made an important national contribution to our wider understanding and appreciation of our native flora.

The gift of the gardens to the former Birkenhead City Council in 1989 and its subsequent opening to the public in 1991 allowed many more people to enjoy these pleasant surroundings and was a welcome addition to the NorthShore network of bush areas.

I would like to take this opportunity to commend Mrs Fisher for her continued involvement in FernGlen and also for her commitment to sharing her love for our native flora with other New Zealanders. I also acknowledge the work of volunteers and the North Shore City Council, whose help in maintaining these gardens has been critical.

I began speaking in all the New Zealand realm languages.  May I close by speaking in Maori, issuing greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours.

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa