Pūriri Avenue

Est. 1928 & 1932.  The Tauranga Beautifying Society were given approval to plant pūriri (Vitex lucens) in July of 1927. The eastern side of the road was planted, followed by the western side in 1932. Trees that did not survive the original plantings were replaced in 1934 and in 1947 a large number of giant bright green pepe-tuna (Aenetus virescens | pūriri moth | ghost moth), New Zealand’s largest moth, were reported in downtown Tauranga. 

Map No. 8.
Cameron Rd (alongside The Domain),
Tauranga, 3110.

About Puriri Avenue.

A recommendation from the Tauranga Beautifying Society and an amendment to an objection to trees on Cameron Road, saw approval given to plant pūriri (Vitex lucens) at the northern end of Cameron Road in July of 1927. The eastern side of the road was planted, followed by the western side in 1932. Trees that did not survive the original plantings were replaced in 1934. The presence of the pūriri trees may have been the cause of a large number of giant bright green pepe-tuna (Aenetus virescens | pūriri moth | ghost moth) reported in downtown Tauranga in 1947. New Zealand’s largest moth and found only in the North Island, the wingspan of a female can reach 15cm. Today, this beautiful stand of hardy pūriri trees bring many benefits to our community, whilst their root systems somehow tolerate the commuter cars parked daily upon them.