It was organised in conjunction with the Rugby World cup 2011 as part of its environmental sustainability programme. Living Legends is managed by Project Crimson in partnership with DOC, the Tindall Foundation and Meridian Energy. In September and October 2011 New Zealanders and international visitors got the chance to take part in 18 community planting events throughout the country on public conservation land.
Eighteen Rugby Legends were selected by New Zealand’s provincial rugby unions and a planting event was dedicated to each of them. Almost 85,000 trees were planted, and living legends are making a five year investment to plant a total of 170,000 trees by the end of the project in 2015. Maintenance and protection of the plants will continue for years to come.
The Taranaki-Wanganui planting event was held in a back dune area just north of the Te Rewa Rewa Bridge on the New Plymouth coastal walkway. It was chosen for several reasons, it attracts both local and visitor communities to use and enjoy the foreshore area, it is administered by the Te Rewa Rewa management committee which is a partnership between the Ngati Tawhirikura Hapu of Te Atiawa and New Plymouth District Council and the planting will enhance wildlife habitat and provide a significant area of indigenous vegetation. On the 17 September 2011, 400 volunteers turned out to plant the trees and honour Taranaki rugby legend Ian Eliason.
Stage two of the planting occurred on the 18 August 2012 when 2500 plants were planted. Stage 3 of the planting occurred on the 18 August 2013 when approx. 200 people joined Taranaki rugby legend Ian Eliason and New Plymouth Mayor Harry Duynhoven to plant 1800 native trees New Plymouth Boys High boarders and a number of Brownies were among the crowd who turned out to help as were people from the Department of Conservation, Taranaki Tree Trust and The Warehouse. This takes the total number of native plants planted at this site over 10,000 in three years.
This is an extreme muggle area so care is required.
Bring your own pen/pencil and replace as found.