It’s been a tough year. 2020 has seen cancelled vacations, postponed weddings and missed celebrations. That is why Tourism New Zealand is partnering with Trees That Count to build a Forest of Hope, so that people all over the world can turn their disappoints from 2020 into something beautiful.

Give back to yourself, gift a tree to a friend that’s had a hard year, or add a tree to better the environment. Trees That Count is New Zealand’s community marketplace to connect tree funders and planters.

Becoming a part of this movement is contributing to an initiative that will make a lasting difference to New Zealand and benefits the climate of the world over. One of the best actions we can take to tackle climate change and to improve our environment is to plant more native trees.

Trees will be planted in Northland and Queenstown. 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. Once we’re able to welcome visitors again you can visit your tree that you helped grow.

Pip Casey, regional manager UK & Europe, Tourism New Zealand said: “In New Zealand, the Te Reo Māori values of manaaki and tiaki have become incredibly relevant today. They speak to the importance of having empathy and inspire us to care for people and place. While our borders remain closed to international visitors, we want to extend a little manaaki and encourage a sense of tiaki to those who are in need of some optimism for the New Year. With trees as a natural symbol of life and growth, the Forest of Hope is a way for people to say goodbye to this year’s disappointments and plant a seed of hope to look forward to better times ahead in 2021.”