Arbor Day is held every year on 5 June to draw attention to the importance of trees in our society. Plant a tree and grow our future.

Zhu family planting at The Groynes.

Arbor Day is a day where people are encouraged to plant trees. Many countries observe the holiday but the date varies depending on climate and season.

The world’s first documented arbor festival took place in the Spanish village of Mondoñedo in 1594 and the first dedicated Arbor Day was held in Nebraska in 1872. New Zealand celebrated Arbor Day for the first time in Greytown in 1890 and has celebrated it annually on June 5 since 1977. 

The Christchurch City Council celebrates Arbor Day by organising community plantings in parks around the city and by supporting schools and community groups in their tree-planting activities.

Park Day Time
Abberley Park(external link) Friday 4 June 10.30 am
Bowenvale/Huntsbury – Port Hills Saturday 5 June 1pm to 3pm
Amberley Beach (Trees for Canterbury)(external link) Sunday 6 June 10am to midday

We encourage schools' involvement in action events by supporting their celebrations for Arbor Day.

Check out the Arbor Day school resource [PDF, 798 KB] for teachers.

Students may also like to come with their families to public events.

Tree planting is not just confined to Arbor Day, there are many planting days, maintenance days and ways you can be actively involved in parks throughout the city.

Find out how you can get involved in your parks.