Christchurch Botanic Gardens celebrates its 150th birthday

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens today (9th July) celebrates 150 years of flourishing in the heart of the Garden City.

Events to mark the anniversary include a ceremonial tree planting, an announcement of photo competition winners and the creation of a time capsule.

Mayor Bob Parker says from a solitary oak planted on 9th July 1863, the Gardens have grown to feature one of the finest collections of exotic and native plants in New Zealand and attract more than 1 million visitors a year.

Mayor Parker explained "through the ups and downs of the last 150 years, the Gardens have remained a jewel in the centre of Christchurch, a permanent monument to the beauty of the natural world and a symbol of growth and renewal."

A ceremonial tree planting on Armstrong Lawn (near the Peacock fountain) at 4pm acknowledges the importance of the Gardens to Christchurch over the last 150 years and members of the public are warmly invited to attend.

A Ngāi Tūāhuriri kaumatua, young Gardens apprentices and a year five Enviroschool pupil, Nfagie Yansaneh from Wharenui School, will be involved in the planting. This reflects the role of Ngāi Tūāhuriri as the Māori tribal authority (manawhenua) with guardianship (kaitiakitanga) over this part of the city and the importance of the next generation for the Gardens' future.

Hundreds of budding and seasoned photographers are waiting for the results of the Botanic Gardens 150th photo competition. Prize judges Mayoress Jo Nicholls-Parker and Press Illustrations Editor Richard Cosgrove have chosen from a short-list of the 743 photos entered and the results will be announced at an event on Tuesday evening.

The competition was launched in July last year so photographers have had all four seasons to capture the splendour of this beautiful public space.

Mayor Parker added "generations of Christchurch families have spent time in the Gardens over the last 150 years and taken a photo to capture a special moment in time or the beauty that surrounds them. The great response to this competition reflects our community's fondness for the Gardens."

28th June 2013 - DUNEDIN BOTANIC GARDEN CELEBRATES 150 YEARS

24th December 2012 - NEW VISITOR CENTRE FOR CHRISTCHURCH BOTANIC GARDENS

16th April 2010 - PARKS A KEY TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

27th June 2008 - PARKS FORUM HIGHLIGHTS VALUE OF PARKS

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