This week, oOh!media New Zealand is coming together to show support for ‘Kauri Ora’, a collective project showcasing the stunning triumph of biosecurity management, careful quarantine growing conditions and an eye on Aotearoa New Zealand’s priceless art history.
‘Kauri Ora’ is a project co-presented by McCahon House Trust, The Kauri Project, Auckland Botanic Gardens and Auckland Council Biosecurity, and in partnership with local iwi Te Kawerau ā Maki. It unveils 300 saplings of kauri trees, saved from the ravages of kauri die-back disease on the famous artists’ property in Titirangi.
The Titirangi grounds of McCahon House are home to hundreds of kauri, many of which are immortalised in Colin McCahon’s art. In 2010, the Kauri were tested positive for the disease and all of the trees had succumbed, with two being felled immediately. Seeds were later harvested from the 27 remaining trees by arborists from Treescape who collected cones from the treetops. Viable seeds were then selected and potted, by expert staff at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.
Now, these special saplings are being offered to the public for a limited fundraiser to raise funds for the McCahon House Trust and the Kauri Project. This will be used to fundraise, raise awareness for the harms and potential ways to deal with die-back.
In support of the Kauri Ora campaign, oOh! has jumped on board, offering one of its most popular sites located on Ponsonby Road – a perfect location to connect with the art-conscious community of Ponsonby.
