Forest of Hope: A New Beginning in New Zealand

As the first country on the planet to welcome in the year 2021 due to its time zone, New Zealand aims to inspire the world to start the new year on a positive note. The country has initiated a partnership with Trees That Count, inviting people to plant a tree in the Forest of Hope—a new forest of native trees symbolizing hope and recovery for the upcoming year.

This initiative emerged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted the world in 2020. “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,” organizers stated. The campaign encourages those who experienced disappointments in 2020—such as missed milestone birthdays, formal graduation ceremonies, or postponed vacations—to commemorate these events by planting a tree in the Forest of Hope.

The Forest of Hope will be situated in both Queenstown and Northland. Moreover, individuals can enhance their connections by gifting a tree to a loved one through New Zealand’s gift registry with Trees That Count. Participants can donate a tree for NZ$10 (approximately US$7), write a heartfelt message, and follow the tree’s journey once it is planted in New Zealand.

“Currently, we cannot share our beautiful country as we normally would, but we can still contribute to its beauty and the health of the environment,” remarks Tourism New Zealand. “Once we’re able to welcome visitors again, they can visit their tree that they helped grow.”

For further information, you can explore the details on the website here.