A World War One Memorial Forest will be created on the Coromandel to commemorate all New Zealand soldiers who died in the Great War.

Starting this Anzac Day, a total of 18,166 trees will be planted at different sites around the Coromandel, with the trees designed to become memorial forests.

Anzac Day 2015 will see the Thames-Coromandel District Council begin planting more than 18,000 trees across the Peninsula as part of a WW1 Memorial Forest. Photo: File

This forest will enhance environmental values and also act as a place for people to walk and remember New Zealand history.

Each forest will commemorate a different battle or campaign during the war and it is proposed that initially five forests will be planted - one in each community board area.

As more sites become available, additional forests will be added to reach the 18,166 number of trees.

Thames-Coromandel District Council mayor Glenn Leach says he is excited about the project, which will provide a living, growing memorial for the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers in World War 1.

'We believe this is a special project which will create a series of memorial forests of national significance that is relevant to all New Zealanders, not just locals,” says Glenn.

'We are looking to commemorate the major battles such as Gallipoli, the Somme and Passchendaele, as well as smaller conflicts like Le Quesnoy or the Palestine campaign as we build towards the 18,000 tree total over the next three years.

'Our intention is to commence the planting project on April 25, and then to involve the community groups and schools in the planting and care for the forests.”

Glenn adds: 'One of the goals of planting these sites is to provide a series of forests which provide environmental education for schoolchildren, a focal point for community involvement, and places of environmental sustainability for future generations.”

In addition to planting and tending the trees, Glenn is hoping to see schoolchildren involved in aspects of the forest such as graphic design for the WW1 interpretative history signboards, or linking to the curriculum studies that teach about each of the battles.

Glenn says: 'We need the next generation to understand the past, so that we learn about our heritage.”

The TCDC is also giving people around the country and opportunity to purchase a tree in the name of a family member who fought in WW1.

Prices for tree have yet to be determined but if people are interested in purchasing a tree from Anzac Day 2015 onwards they are able to register their interest with the council.

To register for a tree you will need to supply your name and email address with a specially created webpage which can be found at: www.tcdc.govt.nz/purchaseAtree

For more information contact project coordinator Ben Dunbar-Smith by calling 07-868-0200 or emailing Ben.Dunbar-Smith@tcdc.govt.nz or view the project's website here.