The Geraldine tree has been named as a finalist in the third annual event, which is based on the European tree of the year competition that started in 2011.
The Tree of the Year/Rākau o te tau competition takes place from March to May and aims to track down New Zealand’s most interesting trees and their stories.
Run by the New Zealand Arboricultural Association, the competition was not about the biggest or most beautiful tree, but the stories and heritage connecting people to them.
"It’s about celebrating the trees that play an important part in our lives, our history and our future," the competition website says.
The Hewlings tōtara, nominated by Rimu Tane, is believed to have been planted in 1864 to commemorate the birth of Catherine Hewlings. It was situated on Geraldine’s main street at the site where the town’s first house once stood.
Catherine was the daughter of Samuel Hewlings and his wife Nga Hei.
Samuel, a young surveyor from England, would later become the first mayor of Timaru.
He also played an important role in surveying colonial New Zealand, working in Auckland, the Bay of Islands and Canterbury.
The hut burnt down in 1911, but the memorial tōtara is still standing between commercial buildings.
The winner of the competition will be announced on June 5, which is Arbor Day.
By Claire Allison
