Ōtukaikino living memorial

Turns out the idea of a living memorial in Christchurch isn't so new... the Department of Conservation and Lamb Haywood Ltd (funeral directors) have gotten together to restore a wetland reserve just north of Christchurch. The 13ha site is an old Maori burial ground, and the project is supported by Te Ngai Tuahuriri Runanga. The idea is you plant a native tree in the reserve to commemorate a loved one, contributing to the ecology of the wetland reserve.

see:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-visit/canterbury/christchurch-and-banks-peninsula/otukaikino/