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Thursday 28 February 2019 2:00pm

Kauri-image
Property Services Director Dean Macaulay (left), Contracting Supervisor Murray McDonald, donor Noel Jhinku and Dean Fraser of Property Services, prepare to plant the Kauri gifted to the University today.

A 150th birthday present has been gifted to the University and planted alongside the Leith.

A 1m tall Kauri was gifted to the University by Noel Jhinku, a former undergraduate and postgraduate student and now manager of the Otago Zebrafish Facility, and was planted in a low-key ceremony today.

He bought the tree some months ago and has been hunting for the right spot for it.

“I wanted a nice permanent home for it and I thought the 150th [anniversary of the University] was the perfect opportunity.”

Property Services Director Dean Macaulay says the “fine specimen” is very much appreciated.

The tree is now on the North Bank of the Leith, adjacent to the south end of the William James Building.

Kauri can grow up to 50m tall, with trunk girths up to 16m, and can live for over 2,000 years.

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