Small table a slice of Kiwi history
BY CHEIRE HOWIE
Relevant offers
A slice of New Zealand history which has sat in a Picton home for almost 40 years will make its public debut tomorrow.
Ken and Pam McKenzie were given a small table made from a branch of New Zealand's largest-known living kauri tree – Tane Mahuta – in the early 1970s.
It will be on display to the public at the New Zealand Arboricultural Association's public seminar in Blenheim tomorrow.
The 5.15pm seminar at the Marlborough Convention Centre will focus on conservation work in New Zealand kauri forests.
Mr McKenzie said the table was made by his brother-in-law, who was in charge of the Waipoua Forest, home to Tane Mahuta, in the 1960s.
His brother-in-law made the table after finding a branch that had broken off the tree during a massive storm which contributed to the sinking of the inter-island ferry Wahine in 1968.
Three tables were made from the branch and later given to family members.
The table had captured the attention of many visitors during the years, Mr McKenzie said.
"People are quite interested when they hear where we got it from ... it's not a big table, it was just what [my brother-in-law] could take – he couldn't just hack into the tree."
But despite its size the table was special to his family.
"It's got to stay in the family now."
- The Marlborough Express
