A new tree in Paeroa Domain bears a plaque commemorating 150 years of Paeroa and the surrounding district.
Members of the Paeroa Historical Society gathered in the Domain on October 23 to witness the planting, along with dignitaries including representatives from Ngāti Tamaterā, Hauraki District Mayor Toby Adams, former Hauraki District Mayor Basil Morrison, and members of long-standing local families.
Paeroa was named in 1875, when a Deed of Cession was signed by Ngāti Tamaterā chiefs and representatives of the Governor of New Zealand.
The February 17 signing allowed the 132,175-acre area of land known as the Ohinemuri Block to be mined for gold.
The township of Paeroa remained part of Thames County until 1915, when it was gazetted as a borough.
The new tree planted to mark the milestone, a Claret Ash, was gifted to the town by the historical society. Before planting, the tree was blessed by kaumātua Apanui Skipper – a descendant of one of the original signers of the deed.
The planting was carried out by the society’s curator, Laurie Smith, and two local tamariki (children), Graeson Pakinga and Nyah McShane.
“It’s nice to have both sides, the young ones, the old ones,” society president Gaye Cleave said.
“It’s a good representation of the community as a whole.”
The plaque was laid by John Strange.
