Hundreds of people gathered to plant native trees in Kopurererua Valley today for Legacy Trust's annual commemorative planting day.

Hundreds of people turned out to the commemorative planting day.

Rose Houghton of Athenree and her friend Judy Birchall of Katikati plant a totara tree in memory of Rose's late husband, Ray. In honour of Ray's profession of surveying and his love of fishing, they took a transit line with other trees nearby, to make it easy to locate the site.

Two commemorative planting days are organised each year by Legacy Trust for families who have been in the care of Legacy Funerals and Todd Gower Funerals Services.

Native trees are planted by families in a 300 hectare area of the Kopurererua Valley - formally adopted by the Legacy Trust for the purpo

se of the commemorative planting days.

The trees - chosen specifically for the environment – are gifted to the families by the Legacy Trust.

A total of 200 people participated in today's planting day – the biggest turnout yet – according to park ranger Craig Fea.

While the planting day commemorates loved ones who have passed away, Craig says the day is also part of a large restoration project. It's all about giving back to the community, he says.

'We really appreciate Legacy's gift to the city. It's allowing council and the community to peck along and to deliver on the vision for the

park with all of this community help.”

Craig says the planting of particular flax and other classic wetland species help to restore much of the valley to its 'original, unmodified, wetlan

ds state”.

'The intention is to have a substantial reserve to one day become the ‘Hagley Park' of Tauranga City.”