Battle of Crete Olive Tree (1973)

The olive tree was presented by the Mayor of Galatos to two Crete veterans, Mr. E. Rogers of Whakatane and Mr. I. Burnett of Whanganui, who decided it should be planted in New Plymouth because of the number of Crete veterans in Taranaki.

After being gifted in May 1971, it was maintained under quarantine by the New Plymouth City Council until planted on the Robe Street Lawn, 1 September 1973. The tree was planted by a life member of the New Zealand Veteran's Association. Mr. J.H. Sampson of New Plymouth. The official ceremony included a speech from New Plymouth Mayor, Denny Sutherland and another from Taranaki Crete Veteran's Association president, Mr. W.E. Wheeler of Waitara. (Taranaki Herald 1 September 1973) 

Black Marble Plaque near Olive Tree

This OLIVE TREE

was presented to New Zealand

veterans of the Battle of Crete

20th - 30th May 1941 by the peple of

Galatas, Crete, to be planted in

their country as a symbol of love

and warm connections between

New Zealand and Galatas people

Galatas, Crete 20th May 1971

The Crete Veterans' Association was formed in 1960 and part of the work of the group included supporting local people and projects in Crete. It was reported in 1973 that the Taranaki branch had been sponsoring a disabled girl in Crete and had previously sent a tractor to Crete. 

Related documents:

Crete sends tree to veterans (Daily News 28 Aug 1973)

WWII Veterans Remember Crete (Taranaki Daily News 27 May 2013)

Memories of Crete (Taranaki Daily News 21 May 2015)

Only Two Vets This Year (Taranaki Daily News 21 May 2014)