Invercargill will mark the King’s Coronation by planting a Rimu in Queens Park’s Ron Petrie NZ Plant Garden.

Invercargill City Council, along with other councils throughout Aotearoa, has been invited to take part in the national celebration and commmoration of the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Council Chief Executive Michael Day said that it was suggested that, due to the King’s affinity with nature and the outdoors, Council plant a native tree to commemorate the historic event.

“We considered several places around Invercargill to plant this special tree,” Day said.

“It was decided that the Ron Petrie NZ Plant Garden was the best and most appropriate place, and is easily accessed by visitors to our park.”

The tree will be planted on Saturday, 6 May between 11 and 11.30am, with footage of the ceremony being sent to the DIA for inclusion in a national, televised celebration commemorating the coronation on Sunday, 7 May at 1pm.

The public are invited to the ceremony, which would also be attended by Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell and Councillors. The Mayor was unable to attend due to a bereavement, Day said.