Remembering a Turakina legend 100 years after death

Former Turakina settler and farmer Robert Cunningham Bruce comemorated 100 years after his death. Photo/ supplied

One hundred years after his death, Robert Cummingham Bruce is remembered as a Turakina legend.

After his death, the former Ngaruru farmer left his estate to help fund the reforestation and maintenance of New Zealand domains and national parks.

A number of organisations, including the Whanganui Hospital, were also beneficiaries of his money.

A public commemoration of the centenary of his death will take place at the Bruce Memorial Reserve on Turakina Valley Road this Sunday, April 23, at 1.30pm.

Event organiser Roslyn Grant said Mr Bruce was a remarkable man who did a lot of work for national forestation among other causes.

"The commemoration should appeal to those who are interested in Rangitikei and New Zealand history and conservation," she said.

"His ideals continue today throughout New Zealand with the Robert C Bruce Trust."

Since 1968, over $400,000 of trust funds have been donated to university research into New Zealand forests, including the restoration and maintenance of native forests on public land.

The University of Auckland, Massey University, Victoria University, University of Canterbury and Lincoln University have all been beneficiaries.

Among other projects, the trust funds were used to complete the road access, known as Bruce Road, to the Whakapapa area where the Chateau Tongariro and park headquarters are now located on Mt Ruapehu.

Ms Grant said people attending the event should wear suitable footwear for the short climb to the Bruce Memorial.