Stephanie Mues – Cherry Tree, plaque on stone, and batik  

Stephanie Mues (1965-1993) was one of the first direct entry students in the Bachelor of Midwifery Programme in the School of Nursing and Midwifery. She enrolled in 1992, and when she passed away in 1993, her former classmates arranged for the planting of a cherry tree with a brass plaque mounted on a stone at the base of the tree. 

There is also a batik entitled, “For the Trees” (artist unknown) on the wall inside the School of Midwifery, gifted by the class. A poem about nikau palms accompanies the painting. Nikau palms were one of Stephanie’s favourite plants.

Nikau

you stand alone

you stand together

in the bright lush of the Green

and in the setting of the sun

survival, sacrifice

life giver you become

Whenua nei o aotearoa

Ko mai te mihi kia koe