Contractors remove dangerous Napier tree

Contractors have removed a tree that was threatening to crash down on three houses at Napier Hill.

The Fire Service was called after the clifftop tree's large root system triggered a slip. Tonnes of earth and boulders slipped into the back of three sections.

Firefighters used chains to secure the tree, which was described as "just hanging there on the edge".

After consulting a geologist and the Earthquake Commission, the firefighters called in contractors to remove the tree by crane.