The coronation of King Charles III has been commemorated today (Saturday May 6) with the unveiling of a plaque and the planting of a totara in the Queenstown Gardens.

The tree was planted by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) mayor Glyn Lewers, Southland MP Joseph Mooney and QLDC community services manager Ken Bailey. Councillor Lyal Cocks represented Wānaka at the event.

“The ceremonial planting of a tree in Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens symbolises the deep-rooted personal connection our new monarch has for the natural world,” Ken said.

“Charles III has long been an advocate for conservation and biodiversity. This ceremony will not only serve as a tribute to his dedication to protecting our planet but also as a representation of our commitment to preserving the natural beauty of Aotearoa New Zealand for future generations.”

The coronation will be marked by similar events all over New Zealand, celebrating the commencement of a $1M nationwide planting effort.

Councillor Lyal Cocks was the Wanaka representative at the planting of the ‘royal’ totara in the Queenstown gardens today (Saturday May 6). 

There have also been less formal celebrations of the coronation across the region.

Yesterday evening (Friday May 5) a crowd of well-dressed people gathered at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre to celebrate “a momentous day” in our history.

Either that, or it was “any excuse for a party” - depending on whether you believed the official line or a commonly expressed opinion in the room of people celebrating the coronation.

MC Andre Meyer began the evening by telling the crowd of around 40 people he hoped the crown itself would remind King Charles “of the weighty responsibility that he has undertaken, and inspire him to always act in the best interest of our people”.

After a faltering rendition of ‘God Save the King’ from the crowd, Andre told them: “Thank you very much and be seated. That was bloody awful.”

The Wānaka App quickly found two keen royalists in the crowd, both resplendent in tiaras, jewels and gloves. 

Janet Willis and Elizabeth Taylor said they had grown up with royalty as the backdrop to their lives, and had both visited Buckingham Palace numerous times.

“The queen was always someone we looked up to,” Janet said.

Elizabeth said she was concerned that people were losing a sense of tradition, which included dressing appropriately for significant events. 

Bea Thomas selects a coronation treat at the Hāwea event.

The Wānaka App spoke to Neal and Alison Brown. Neal was very dapper in a morning suit he had tailor made in London’s Oxford Street on his OE in 1961.

“I think we should be a republic,” Neal told the Wānaka App.

“King Charles will probably be the last [monarch].”

Neal said he and Alison attended the event for the fun of it. “It’s such a friendly, fun loving and energetic group.”

Bea Thomas, originally from Germany, said she wasn’t a monarchist, but she was enjoying the fun nonetheless. 

Earlier in the day Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College history teacher Ed Waddington asked a class of 30 students, aged from 16-17 years old if they intended to watch the coronation live.

Only one student said they would, because it was connected to their part time job.

Ed also asked the students if they felt the coronation would make any difference to New Zealand.

Of the handful of students who responded, there was little support for the Crown, with answers including: “I don’t know”; “I used to like the Queen”; and “I don’t like Charles”.

A sombre King Charles greeted arrivals at the Hāwea coronation event.

The Guardian newspaper in the UK this week revealed the results of an investigation into the cost of the Crown, which estimated that the King makes more than £1.2B in annual dividends from royal estates; while the Crown is paid £86M a year from the government as an annual sovereign grant. 

“It doesn’t matter about the money,” Elizabeth said at the Lake Hāwea celebration last night.

Janet agreed: “[The coronation] is a once in 70 year event. It’s historic.”

PHOTOS: Wānaka App