How to mark the King's coronation in Invercargill?
King Charles has expressed a desire that his coronation be celebrated by planting a tree, or trees, in towns and districts.
A native tree planting at Queens Park has been suggested to mark the first Coronation of a Monarch in 70 years.
King Charles III's coronation will take place on Saturday, May 6 at Westminster Abbey in London.
During the ceremony, the King will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort.
On Wednesday the Invercargill City Council will discuss what it will or won’t do to mark the occasion.
King Charles has expressed a desire that his coronation be celebrated by planting a tree, or trees, in towns and districts.
The Department of Internal Affairs has written to each council and provided guidance on tree-planting options.
The Department has asked that each council film the tree planting ceremony so that it can be played at the national ceremony held in Auckland / Wellington.
The Ron Petrie New Zealand Garden at Queens Park has been identified as a suitable location for the planting of a tree. The tree will be indigenous to the Southland area. on Petrie New Zealand Garden.
A plaque has been commissioned to be displayed by the tree.
An event, at the time of planting, has been suggested with a $6000 budget earmarked as being appropriate for the whole project.
A report prepared by council staff says that $6000 will come from an underspend within the council’s “democratic process budget”.
It is anticipated the tree would be planted by Mayor Nobby Clark and Kaumātua.
The council will be provided with three options to consider on Wednesday. One is two chose to do nothing to mark the coronation.
The second option is to hold a “low key” event alongside the tree planting and the third option is a larger scale event where the wider public would be invited.
That would come at an increased cost.
The staff’s report outlines some risks attached to the tree planting and event to mark the coronation.
Included is the perception that it celebrates the colonisation of New Zealand and impacts on Tino rangatiratanga.
“These risks can be managed by clear communications, and the recognition that protect is a form of expression and is a legitimate part of the New Zealand political landscape. Police would be advised of the event as part of standard planning.”