Coromandel salutes the pohutukawa

It might not warrant a public holiday, yet, but each year 10 days are devoted to celebrating New Zealand's stunning crimson-flowered pohutukawa.

For the second year, the New Zealand icon is the reason for hundreds of people taking part in activities around the township of Coromandel. The main event - a Pohutukawa Party at Waikawau Reserve - is on this Saturday at 2 pm, with a garden trail earlier in the day.

Funds raised from the celebrations, which began on Friday night, will go towards protecting and restoring pohutukawa trees.

Contact: for information on activities and times, Lara Signal

Tel (07) 866 7702

E-mail larasignal@hotmail.com