This tree along with several other trees were planted on the 18th May 1869 by the Duke of Edinburgh (Queen Victoria’s second son, Prince Alfred Ernest Albert) on the occasion of the first royal visit to New Zealand. The Duke was a prolific planter of trees in the towns and cities he visited.
The following was as reported by the New Zealand Herald (19 May 1869, pg. 3)
"Yesterday afternoon, at about half-past two, his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by Sir George and Lady Bowen, planted two Norfolk Island pines and a Wellingtonia Gigantea on the lawn in front of the Government House. The spots were well selected, so as not to interfere with any view from the house when the trees are more fully grown, and will, we should hope, be respected and allowed to remain in their present position by the fortunate individual or corporate body that may eventually become possessed of the property, as, no doubt, the Southern members of the Assembly, doubting the necessity of a Government House and grounds in this province, will be of opinion that they should be sold for the benefit of the colony generally."