The official launch of the Thames-Coromandel District Council's World War One Memorial Forest took place at Cathedral Cove today.

Coinciding with Arbor Day, Maggie was on hand to help plant 100 trees at the site which lies on Public Conservation Land above the iconic Coromandel landmark.

Conservation and Culture & Heritage Minister Maggie Barry with Mercury Bay Area School, Te Rerenga, Coroglen and Whenuakite Primary Schools students unveiling the sign leading into the WWI Memorial Forest Gallipoli site towards Cathedral Cove. The signs are on kauri boards. Photo: TCDC

The first two native New Zealand trees were planted there on Anzac Day, the 100th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli.

The memorial forest will eventually see 18,166 native trees planted at a number of sites around the Coromandel – one tree for each of the New Zealand service personnel killed in the war.

As part of the ceremony, local school children laid 2,779 flax crosses along the path through the newly planted trees.

Deputy mayor Peter French would like to thanked everyone who has helped the council with this major project.

'I want to acknowledge the support from the Department of Conservation, Waikato Regional Council, local iwi Ngati Hei, the local schools, the RSA and other community groups, including the Stella Evered Trust, for partnering with us in this project.

"As the trees grow and mature I'm sure the forests will become wonderful places for people to remember loved ones.

'They will become a significant part of our history for all visitors to walk through and pay their respects.”

On behalf of Ngati Hei, Joe Davis offered a blessing at the ceremony and says it is humbling to see so many flax crosses, laid out close together on the forest path, each representing the life of one New Zealand soldier.

The Cathedral Cove site represents the Gallipoli campaign, where 2,779 soldiers were killed and that number of trees is to be planted at the site over the next few years.

Other sites around the Coromandel will represent different battles or aspects of the war.

Conservation Minister Maggie Barry planting the last of the 100 trees at the Gallipoli site today.

The path paved with flax crosses woven by students at the Mercury Bay Area school to commemorate the 2,779 NZ soldiers who died at Gallipoli.