3 June 2011

A product of Horowhenua and growing up on the outskirts of Wellington, and therefore always known as the ‘Paekakariki Express’, Christian Cullen showed exceptional rugby qualities at an early age. Christian’s first coach was his father, Chris Cullen, who as well as coaching provided Christian with the best piece of advice – do your best and put your best foot forward at all times. You never know who will be watching you.

From the small Kapiti College near Paraparaumu he made the New Zealand secondary schools side in 1993 and 1994. In those seasons he was playing mainly as a centre and it was in this position he was used in a strong national under 19 side of 1994 and where he alternated between fullback in his representative debut in eight matches for Horowhenua.

Cullen's rise continued with selection in the national sevens side in 1995 and in that year's New Zealand Colts side which won an international tournament in Argentina.

Christian had an outstanding form in the inaugural Super 12 for the Hurricanes and again in the sevens which meant that his entry into the All Blacks was a formality. Aged only 20, he made an instant impact with three tries in his test debut against Samoa and followed that with four in the international against Scotland. Christian’s All Black debut in 1996 was his proudest rugby achievement. For the next few seasons Cullen was an automatic selection, everyone agreed that he was a unique talent.

Cullen's ability as an astonishingly prolific tryscorer is reflected in the fact that in 58 tests between 1996 and 2002 he scored 46 tries, which became the All Black record at the time. In his entire first class career which embraced representation for Horowhenua, Manawatu, Central Vikings, Wellington and the Hurricanes he scored in excess of 150 tries.

These days Christian is kept busy with various business interests, playing lots of golf and spending time with his wife Mandy and children Cole, Christian and Dillon.

When asked if he could give a message to the young sports people of New Zealand he said “In 1994 I was in a team (Horowhenua) which was hammered 108-12 by Counties with a debuting Jonah Lomu, Joeli Vidiri and others. Two years later I was part of the first All Black side to win a Test Series in South Africa. Two years further on I stood on the dias as a gold medal winner with the 7’s team in Kuala Lumpur. Life is about swings and roundabouts. Enjoy the ride.”

About Living Legends
Living Legends will plant 85,000 trees nationwide in 2011, and is making a five year investment to plant a total of 170,000 trees by the end of the project in 2015.

The plantings all take place on public conservation land, and will encourage New Zealanders and overseas visitors to participate in the events.
Plantings will be held in Northland, North Harbour, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Horowhenua-Kapiti, Wellington, Tasman, Buller/West Coast, Mid Canterbury, Christchurch, Otago and Southland.

Living Legends is a joint venture of Project Crimson, an environmental charity with 20 years experience in community-based native restoration projects and The Tindall Foundation. Major sponsors the Department of Conservation and Meridian Energy.

Living Legends is also part of the REAL New Zealand Festival - a nationwide celebration of New Zealand arts, food and wine, heritage, culture, entertainment, business and lifestyle taking place during Rugby World Cup 2011.

About the Horowhenua/Kapiti Living Legends planting
Just north of Paekakariki village, Whareroa Farm has a significant Maori and European history which once included forming part of the McKays marine camp during WW2. The Department of Conservation is already undertaking significant work in developing the entrance, visitor centre, and associated walking tracks. A local guardians group is involved in restoration planting. Farming will continue on 189ha of the 450ha property adding a special flavour to the visitor experience. Plans for mountain bike tracks, poled tramping tracks will extend activities towards the Akatarawa Forest on the eastern boundary of the property.

On 4 September 2011, volunteers will plant 2550 additional native trees at this site as part of Living Legends programme of work.

ENDS

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