Helen Clark weighs in on 500-year-old kauri battle

Name: Protest to save 500-year-old Kauri tree
Uploaded: 2015-03-09T15:14:01+13:00
Duration: 209 s
Description: About 50 people have gathered to save a 500-year-old kauri from the chop. Residents of the Auckland suburb Titirangi have vowed to stop the felling of the tree, arguing that is unfair to lose such a treasure from their neighbourhood. One protester, Michael Tavares, climbed 25m up the tree and he was "prepared to spend some time up here". Police have issued him with a trespass notice.

By Vaimoana Tapaleao, Bernard Orsman

Pasifika Editor·NZ Herald·

9 Mar, 2015 02:54 AM2 mins to read

About 50 people have gathered to save a 500-year-old kauri from the chop. Residents of the Auckland suburb Titirangi have vowed to stop the felling of the tree, arguing that is unfair to lose such a treasure from their neighbourhood. One protester, Michael Tavares, climbed 25m up the tree and he was "prepared to spend some time up here". Police have issued him with a trespass notice.

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has weighed in on the battle to stop a 500-year-old kauri from being chopped down in Auckland.

Ms Clark - now the Administrator for the United Nations Development Programme - posted her views on a photo of supporters at a protest in Paturoa Rd, Titirangi, where the centuries' old kauri is due to be brought down.

"Extraordinary in this day and age that a permit would be given to fell a 500 year old kauri tree,'' she wrote.

The comment was made on a photo posted on Facebook by Waitakere Ranges Local Board member Greg Presland. He is pictured with fellow member Saffron Toms and board chairwoman Sandra Coney.

About 100 protesters were at the site early this morning, where the tree - as well as a 300-year-old neighbouring rimu - were due to be felled by contractors. One protestor climbed the kauri and contractors were forced to leave as a result.

Developers have gained a resource consent from Auckland Council approving the removal of the trees; however locals are adamant they should not be cut down.

Its a beautiful morning here in Titirangi. Get to 40 Paturoa rd to tell council they got it wrong. #saveourkauri pic.twitter.com/URqR9qBFeO
— Michael João Tavares (@thewildernerd) March 8, 2015

Treescape arrives on the scene, backed out straight away after seeing all these passionate locals. #saveourkauri pic.twitter.com/ar0oBCrtUU
— Renée Rose Annan (@renegadeannan) March 8, 2015

"I'm up #Titirangi's oldest Kauri, protesting a developer's plans to clear it for a deck. #SaveOurKauri https://t.co/YfpMsSGF0S"
— Michael João Tavares (@thewildernerd) March 8, 2015