Gael Ogilvie, manager of Auckland Council Environmental Services said it was a thoughtless act.
"It's the exact opposite of the kind of behaviour that the students showed by growing these plants for a good cause."
Trees for Survival is an environmental education programme supported by Auckland Council. It involves young people growing and planting native trees to help landowners revegetate erosion-prone land, improve stream flow and water quality, and increase biodiversity.
The programme also creates community partnerships by engaging schools, their community, local businesses and councils, working together to restore our natural heritage.
Currently there are over 5000 school students involved in the programme with more than 70,000 trees planted each year. In the past 20 years, the trust has planted more than a million trees
Anybody with any information about the theft of the plants should contact Helensville Police Station on 09 420 8967 or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.