New Zealand

Rotary Grove of Friendship

Picture shows Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith planting his tree.

Rotary International President 1931-1932 Sydney Pascall planted a Totara tree in the Auckland Domain, near the Tea Kiosk, on 2 May 1932. This was one of a chain of Friendship Trees planted during his world-wide tour of Rotary Clubs. The first planting was in theNational Botanical Gardens, Cape Town in 1931. The Domain planting started Auckland’s Rotary Grove of Friendship.

RI Presidents visiting Auckland since 1932 have also planted trees. Each tree has a dedicatory bronze plaque with the RI wheel and details of the planting, a reminder to those who visit the Domain of Rotary’s commitment to service. The table below lists the plantings.

Rotary Club of Auckland President 2001-2002 Dave Tibby presented a ceremonial spade to be used in planting the Rotary Grove trees. It was used first by then RI Past President Frank Devlyn to plant an American Oak in 2006.

Following RI President DK Lee’s visit in 2008, a major renovation of the original Grove has taken place driven by Rotary Club of Auckland President 2008-2009 Jim Johnston, with funding from Auckland City Council. The objective was to restore damaged plaques and replace lost plaques so that the unique nature of the Grove can be enjoyed by Rotarians and the general public. A second Grove location within the Domain, near the corner of Carlton Gore and Park Roads, was adopted for future planting.

Three trees have a special significance for Auckland Rotarians: Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary and the initiator of Friendship Trees, planted a Miro close to Sydney Pascall’s Totara in 1935; Harold Thomas, the first New Zealander to be President of RI, planted a Titoki in 1960; Bill Boyd, the second New Zealander to be President of RI, planted an American Oak in 2006. Harold Thomas is remembered also with a granite Seat of Friendship appropriately placed near the Paul Harris Miro.

RI Presidents who planted trees in the Rotary Grove of Friendship

In honor of Harold Thomas

Submitted by: Rotary Club of Auckland Inc, District 9920

Provided by RGHF secretary Norm Winterbottom and posted 18 March 2012 by Jack Selway for RGHF