Tensions boiled over between protesters and a group of workers at Mander Park in Whangarei after a government agency put up fences around heritage trees it wants to remove for road works.
Police were called after Hone Shortland, one of the protesters, bowled over road cones put up by New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) contractors on Central Ave yesterday morning and later confronted the workers over the decision to remove the trees.
He was joined by conservation and environment management student Tyler Matheson, who climbed a tree and insisted he would not move, even if the contractors fronted up with chainsaws.
The NZTA has secured funding for a series of State Highway 1 projects that will see a slice of Mander Park cut to make way for road-widening and intersection upgrades. This would include cutting down 11 heritage trees.
Aimed at increasing the capacity of Whangarei's roading backbone, the NZTA plans to widen SH1 to four lanes from Tarewa Rd to Kensington Ave.
Regional State Highways Manager Tommy Parker said it was decided in a meeting with Whangarei Mayor Morris Cutforth and council staff yesterday that work to remove the trees would start this weekend.
Affected residents were advised in writing of the planned work but Mr Shortland, who lives on Fifth Ave, said the fight was far from over.
"Ninety per cent of Whangarei residents disagree with the removal of these trees but obviously Morris Cutforth doesn't listen to the people," he said.
"There's enough room to put a second lane without cutting the trees down. It's actually a no-brainer."
Mr Matheson said he became incensed upon seeing the fences while on his way to NorthTec.
"There'll be more people [protesters] coming in," he said.
Mr Knackstedt said NZTA understood the strong feelings from the community and concerns were carefully considered at an independent planning inquiry 18 months ago.
"We are planting 11 large trees, reshaping and planting the stream banks, and providing a new pathway with lighting through the park to ensure safer access across the park," Mr Parker said.
Whangarei District Council group manager district living Paul Dell said due process was followed in terms of public submissions and hearings before consent was given to NZTA.
In another twist, Whangarei district councillor Aaron Edwards has written to Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee and his associate minister Simon Bridges, calling for the project to be deferred until a proper assessment on traffic flows is conducted.
Mr Edwards said the NZTA's justification that work was necessary to address severe congestion adjacent to Mander Park was either flawed or shonky. He said according to traffic counts by NZTA, there were 800,000 fewer movements along the route in 2011 than in 2004.
"This is not simply a statistical anomaly or a temporary downturn, it is a persistent downward trend," Mr Edwards said.
A spokesman for Mr Brownlee said he had received Mr Edwards' letter and was seeking advice on the request.