Arborist scam fears hit Wairarapa

DODGY: Residents are concerned about men knocking on Wairarapa doors, offering tree trimming services.

Concerns about men possibly masquerading as tree pruners have prompted warnings from Wairarapa Neighbourhood Support groups.

A Hutt Valley-based arborist is door-knocking in Wairarapa and says his services have been well received. But residents have reported seeing men offering the same services behaving in an intimidating manner and appearing to "scope out" their properties.

Featherston Neighbourhood Support cautioned residents via its Facebook page, after a member saw three supposed tree trimmers, wearing high-visibility gear and driving a white car, "looking around yards" in Carterton.

Heather Wilson, Neighbourhood Support co-ordinator at Connecting Communities, said the member reported the men had been unable to produce a business card when asked and were "rather forceful".

This is not the first time suspected scammers have made their presence known in Wairarapa: this year police warned the public of men posing as professional roof painters, charging high rates for substandard work.

Ms Wilson said such people were particularly active during the Christmas period.

"Scammers like this tend to crop up on a seasonal basis," he said.

"They have been known to hang around to find out who in the area is going away over Christmas - so they can come back to that property and commit further offences.

"They're opportunists."

Ms Wilson said people posing as tradesmen had targeted Wairarapa in the past, mainly preying on older residents and charging exorbitant rates for little work.

"There are several ways they work.

"They can charge huge amounts for basically nothing, they can take the cash and not turn up for the job, or they can distract you while [stealing] from your home.

"It's a fine art."

People approached by door knockers should ask for a business card, get quotes in writing, and research the business before accepting work.

"There are legitimate people out there - but you want to be 100 per cent safe.

"If they display intimidating behaviour, call the police straightaway."

Carterton District Council community facilities manager Brian McWilliams said genuine arborists businesses are easy to spot.

"Anyone who's a professional will have identification and sign-printing on their shirts and vehicles, and will have a business card," Mr McWilliams said.

"The fly-by-nighters can't afford that."

He encouraged people to ask anyone offering tree pruning for their "chainsaw ticket", which showed an arborist had completed chainsaw safety training.

A Carterton resident told the Times-Age she had received a business card from GB Queens Takylia, a Taita gardening company, which was offering tree trimming services in the area.

Managing director Paul Foua told the Times-Age he had Wairarapa customers and people had responded positively when approached.

Another resident said he had also seen tree pruners in the area, and had photographed their vehicle - however, the GB Queens Takylia car was black and branded, unlike the white car Featherston Neighbourhood Support described.