The Pukeora Forest of Memories story.
The 10 hectare block is located at the base of Pukeora Scenic Road, Waipukurau. Land was sold to Rotary Club of Waipukurau by the Hawke's Bay Area Health Board after the idea was initiated by Waipukurau Rotarian Andrew Watts.
The first trees were planted in winter of 1993 by a group of local tree enthusiasts. The name "Pukeora Forest of Memories" conveys the original concept of a place to plant a tree in memory of loved ones and in doing so creates a special place for the Central Hawkes Bay community.
As well as new plantings undertaken every year, improvements are ongoing. A stone walled entranceway with seating on the lower road and a large car park area are complete, while walking tracks extensions and bridging continues to grow. There are many memorial seats in the park that you can sit and rest.
With many of the early plantings now well established, the colourful seasonal changes, and the wonderful views overlooking the Tuki Tuki River and Waipukurau Township, the Pukeora Forest of memories is indeed a special place.
To check for memorials go to our search tool on the Home Page, or go to the Memorials tab at the top of the page. Click here for application guidelines and contacts.
“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.”
What We've Achieved
2nd July 1995
A day for planting memorial trees the first for the year (1995). Steve Wyn-Harris, John & Irene White, Helen Swinburn, Jos Bishop, Sam & Andrew Watts had an early lunch and did some planning before people arrived to plant trees in memory of loved ones. Shirley Wynne-Lewis had produced a great plan of area with last years memorial plantings all numbered and coded. Shirley, Neil Kittow and I spent time yesterday finding and identifying trees. Neil continued putting todays plantings on the plan. I put engraved tags on the different silver birches planted last year. Jim Shand, John Cleland, Jos Bishop and Sam Watts helped John White plant ten different acers on the hillside. Porina grub had completely dessicated the native grasses and left good clean ground to plant in. Neil Kittow planted a group of liquid ambers up at the top of the wet area, Helen Swinburn planted a range of wet loving trees down and around the entrance.
15th November 1999
Waipukurau Rotary for usual Monday meeting and Takapau Venturer Scouts had a working bee from 5.30 to 7.30 followed by a few beers a barbecue tea. Great things done, track edging around end corner and up to top of rise. HB Farmers Transport dropped truck and trailer load of lime red metal mix on top road and boys shoveled down a shoot into waiting Rotarians wheel barrows. Peter Fleming and Ian Coleman did plaques on Alders, Herricks and Herb Society. Put two lengths of nova flo in on edge of wet areas of track. Hugh Hamilton decked the bridge at start of track. Neil Kittow, Gary Sturgess, Kathy Hands and others Terry Apatu filled car park bank with Agapanthas. Hans Dresel restained letters on sign. Keith Sangster and Bruce Turfrey put an alcothene pipe from gates to end corner and two taps. John Hamilton put in two plinths. A great night and lots achieved.