Pohutukawa adds to Auckland HIV memorial
A new Pohutukawa tree was planted in Auckland's Western Springs reserve today to remember New Zealanders lost to the HIV epidemic. NZ AIDS Foundation Burnett Centre manager Wayne Otter said the planting was a significant event to also remember that our community must do all we can to fight the HIV virus. "This year was the 25th anniversary of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial," he told a small assembly in the park this afternoon. "To mark this milestone a tree was placed within St Matthew-in-the-City, for people to place the names of people they have known and lost to HIV. Today we are placing those names, with other gifts of nourishment, in the hole to assist this beautiful tree to grow. "This place will be here long after we've gone," he reflected.
AIDS Memorial Quilt trustee Michael Bancroft was at the planting, and noted that the timing was significant, since tomorrow will be the twentieth anniversary of the first-ever completed panel – created to remember Peter Cuthbert – being handed to the Quilt Project. The Pohutukawa tree was planted close to the existing Circle of Friends memorial – in the South-Eastern side of Western Springs reserve, close to the entrance to Auckland Zoo. Photo © gaynz.com

15 Oktober 2008
Wayne Otter, Auckland