Rākau o te tau / Tree of the year finalist 2022.

This tree, thought to be a Williams' bon chrétien pear, and still producing edible fruit, is the sole survivor of 185 fruit trees and grape vines, the first exotic trees of which there is a positive record of planting in New Zealand" (Great Trees of New Zealand. Burstall S.W & Sale E.V, 1984 pg. 34). It was planted under the direction of Rev. Samuel Marsden at the Anglican Mission Station in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, in 1819. It is probable that the tree came from Marsden's Paramatta Estate in Australia. Many of the fruit trees that made up his Paramatta orchard were directly sourced by Joseph Banks in 1803. The Kerikeri mission's model orchard and gardens played an integral role in establishing a propagation resource for further stock dispersal throughout the country and was viewed by Marsden as a metaphor for promoting the missionary endeavours to all who would listen and help dig (Spooner-Robson, T. 2004)
Go to the following Historic Places Trust links to read about early Kerikeri history.
Kerikeri Mission House
Stone Store
St James' Church (Anglican)