Jeff Whittaker Pharmacy 50 Years in Havelock North

St Columbas Church and Tree

St Columba's Presbyterian Church and manse was the first church built in Havelock North. It was built in 1871 at the site where the National bank is today. The first minister was Rev. Alexander Shepherd and he lived in a house in what is now Exmoor Street. A new church, designed by Robert Lamb was erected in 1894 on donated land adjacent to the domain (formerly occupied by the Havelock North Hotel). The gum tree, a significant landmark is reported to have been planted in the mid 1860's. The current church was finished in 1971 (ref Havelock Village information online).

Dispite the 1860's date above, no known history of the tree is recorded but the book by S.W. Grant ‘Havelock North, from village to borough, 1860-1952' makes reference to the tree on page 25.
'The second St Columbas built in 1893, dignified by it’s graceful, shingle covered spire which could be seen from many parts of Havelock North, was also blessed by having in the corner of it’s grounds a huge blue gum tree, a giant still happily surviving. Surmise about the identity of the planter has already been discussed; whoever it was, assuredly he or she erected a monument”

“Some must have watched the growth of the giant blue gum tree, which now dominates it’s surroundings. It is not known who planted the tree. Perhaps it was John Chambers, the head of a family who were notable tree planters, or perhaps it was Boswell Danvers who in the 1860’s advertised blue gum saplings for sale.”

The tree was formerly identified in error as a Eucalyptus regans and included in a 1970 national survey of Historic and Notable trees of New Zealand by SW Burstall. E. globulus subsp. globulus was confirmed at SCION on 24 June 2010. National Forestry Herbarium voucher number reference: NZFRI 28197.

Today the tree is a landmark which can be seen from several kms away from each of the 4 main roads (N S E & W) leading into Havelock North. The tree is visible towering over the church roof and the village CBD. The tree is recorded in many early photos of the area. JMK 2010