Kerikeri redwoods to be removed after Cyclone Tam near-miss risk review

Kerikeri redwood trees by a retirement village are to be felled in an eight-week-long operation for safety. Photo / FNDC

A familiar walking track through Kerikeri’s redwood trees is set to close as council begins an eight-week operation to remove the ageing stand, citing safety risks to nearby homes and a retirement village.

The Far North District Council said the removal of the mature trees on council-owned land at Hawkings Crescent comes after a near-miss incident in April last year during Cyclone Tam, when a 30m tree crashed into a shed at the nearby Kerikeri Retirement Village, narrowly missing a gardener, who escaped seconds before impact.

“The work will be carried out in two phases, with the first stage beginning in the first week of February and expected to take approximately eight weeks. During this time, the walking track through the redwoods will be closed and access to Hawkings Crescent will be restricted to residents only.”

The removal of the trees will be carried out by local specialist arborist O S Safe Tree Ltd and involves reducing the trees by sections rather than felling entire trees, because of the proximity of residential properties, pedestrian routes, and the nearby retirement village. This is to ensure the safety of residents and workers.

Once work gets underway, residents can expect some noise, vibration and increased vehicle movements, with traffic management in place when required. The hours of work will typically be between 7am and 5.30pm but could vary. The contractor will take all steps to minimise disruption.

It is expected that the second phase of work around Wendywood Lane will be carried out later this year.

“The Cyclone Tam near-miss last year was the third serious incident involving trees and the retirement home since 2018, with previous incidents including branches striking the hospital wing and a residents’ car.”

A review was carried out last year with village representatives and WorkSafe, and an arborist’s assessment was undertaken. While the arborist found no immediate stem-cracks in the redwoods, there was evidence of root-plate movement on four trees. The report questioned the stability of the trees during extreme weather and said that pruning alone would be an insufficient remedy.

The arborist also advised that removing only those trees with obvious defects or rot would cause instability for any remaining redwoods, significantly increasing the risk of others in the stand toppling over during future weather events.

“As the landowner, the council has a duty of care obligation to take steps to remove or reduce hazards that could cause loss or harm to neighbouring people and properties.”

Based on that legal advice and the 2025 review, Far North District Council chief executive Guy Holroyd gave approval for all the trees to be removed and replaced by high-wind tolerant native species.

The trees, located on Wendywood Lane and Hawkings Crescent, were planted in the 1940s as shelterbelts for farmland. Since then, urban development has surrounded the stands, including retail to the north and Kerikeri Retirement Village and housing to the south.

The Proposed District Plan lists both redwood stands as notable making their removal a “restricted discretionary” activity. However, if emergency works are required to prevent imminent danger, removal is permitted under the Resource Management Act.

Council said there have been several individuals and groups who have inquired about using the wood for carving and other projects.

“It is something we are considering. Where timber is suitable to be used, we will work with our community board to select appropriate projects or groups to receive timber. However, until the trees have been felled, it is impossible to know what condition the timber will be in. Previously, trees removed from these stands have been rotten and have only been suitable for mulching.”

FNDC added that while there are plans to replace the trees with native saplings, the focus now is on removing the tree because of the health and safety risks they pose.