One of the last acts of former city councillor and Labour MP David Benson-Pope will soon blossom on Portsmouth Dr, Dunedin, with the planting of 30 gum trees.
Mr Benson-Pope, whose life on the political stage ended after last year's national elections, sparked the idea for the trees in March that year.
He said at the time his motivation went back to his days as a Dunedin city councillor, when he had been involved in the beautification of areas around Andersons Bay inlet.
"That was one of the first things I did.
"I think they [the Portsmouth Dr trees] are going to look great in a few years, so I'm very pleased."
The council announced the plantings last week as part of its street tree planting project.
Parks and reserves team leader Martin Thompson said the trees would be planted on either side of the road, and also on the median strip.
They were the same species of gum already grown at the eastern end of the drive, which were well suited to the windy and salty conditions.
They would be placed in "suitable locations" to avoid visibility problems for traffic, would be planted by the end of August, and took 15 to 20 years to mature.
The total street planting budget was more than $19,000, but the Portsmouth Dr trees would cost only about $900 to plant.
Mr Benson-Pope said he had raised some money and a promise of equipment from local businesses, and the council had provided the rest.
He would not comment on what he was doing post-politics, which he said was "private".
Mr Thompson said other areas for planting included Hillside Rd, replacement trees for George and Princes Sts, and some streets in Mosgiel.
