New Zealanders plant 'trees of hope' to welcome 2021

New Zealand has joined forces with Trees That Count, inviting residents to contribute towards planting indigenous trees in the Forest of Hope to celebrate the coming of the New Year.

Anyone around the world can be part of this movement by gifting a tree, or attribute your purchase to a loved one who has had a difficult 2020. The trees symbolise hope and growth for a better 2021, inviting participants to turn disappointments into positivity.

‘The one thing that everyone can agree on is that 2020 has been a disappointing year and the world is craving some positivity in 2021,’ the website says. ‘Missed out on a milestone birthday? Skipped out on a formal graduation ceremony? Postponed a long-awaited vacation? … Give back to yourself, gift a tree to a friend that’s had a hard year, or add a tree to better the environment.’

‘Right now, we can’t share our beautiful country as we normally would, but we can still add to its beauty, and the health of the environment,” says Tourism New Zealand. ‘Once we’re able to welcome visitors again, you can visit your tree that you helped grow.’