Miss Jane Carrington planted a Pinus radiata, and four other trees at the base of Cannon Hill on 29 May 1876. The original Carrington Pine was removed sometime after 1934, and the current tree, planted at the same time, assumed the title (Ref, George Fuller, at http://www.pukeariki.com/Research/TaranakiStories/TaranakiStory/id/451/title/pukekura-park-a-place-that-steals-hearts.aspx).

'A spade which helped establish a Taranaki treasure is part of the Puke Ariki heritage collection. Ref: A68.098
This ceremonial spade, with a specially inscribed handle, was used by Jane Carrington to plant the first trees in the Recreation Ground, now Pukekura Park, on 29 May 1876. The first trees planted were an oak representing Britain, puriri (New Zealand), Norfolk Island pine (the Pacific) and Monterey pine (the Americas). Guests at the official opening then continued the planting.
The spade has been used in other commemorative plantings since, including the centennial in 1976, but it is now retired from active service'. Andrew Moffat (ref. www.pukeariki.com)

The tallest pine tree in a group on Cannon Hill, it is often considered to be the tallest tree in the park, but a nearby Norfolk Island pine is actually taller (TR/0766) Smillie, 2010.

This tree was removed in December 2016 after an 11 m long crack was found in the trunk. See Taranaki Daily News, December 13, 2016.
Smillie 2017