Vandals chop down and poison 23 sacred trees and shrubs in Takapuna
Kia ora koutou. Vandals have allegedly poisoned and cut down dozens of native trees and shrubs of huge significance to Māori near Takapuna Beach.
Around 23 trees and shrubs at Te Uru Tapu (The Sacred Grove) at the northern end of the beach were discovered to have been vandalised during a regular inspection by Auckland Council’s senior urban forest specialist on Tuesday.
The grove of ancient pōhutukawa trees is of high significance to mana whenua, with the trees and vegetation in the area protected by the Auckland Unitary Plan.
A section of the grove has been fenced off since June 2018, due to the risk of trees falling onto a boardwalk below. It appeared someone had deliberately entered the restricted area to cut down the trees, which included karo, karaka, nīkau, tōtara and coprosmas. Drill holes were also found at the base of three mature karo trees, which suggested they had been poisoned.
None of the trees are expected to survive. Auckland Council has launched an investigation and is asking anyone with information to email sacredgrove@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Click 'read more' for the full story.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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91.4% Yes
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8.3% No
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0.3% Other - I'll share below!
Food and product recalls
These items have been recalled during the last month. If you have any of these items at home, click on the title to see the details:
Product recalls
Avanti, Malvern Star & Raleigh bicycles
Yoto Kids Speaker
Anko Kids Pyjamas
Battery drill chainsaw attachment
Industrial pedestal misting fan
Yamaha adaptor
Zero Tower safety harness
Naturacoco moisturising cream
Thule child bike seat
Food recalls:
Maketū pies mussel pie
The Catering Studio cottage pie
Matakana Smokehouse gravlax/salmon
Our Fruit Box fruit juices
ProLife Foods value packs - nuts, raisins.
YY Dumplings & Fu Yuan ready-to-eat meat products
Waiheke Herbs italian herb spread
We hope this message was helpful in keeping your household safe.
Kauri Glen Reserve treetop bridge and boardwalk now open!
NEWSFLASH: The wait is over and the Kauri Glen Reserve treetop bridge and boardwalk is NOW OPEN to the public! Check it out!
And please join us for our official opening/celebration in a couple of weeks!
➡️ When: 12pm Sunday 28 April
➡️ Where: Kauri Glen Road entrance to Kauri Glen Reserve
➡️ Facebook event: www.facebook.com...
Free BBQ! Walk the new track!
This is a new step-free route between Kauri Glen Road and Tui Glen Road, with a refurbished track (including steps) to Raymond Terrace. The new bridge is around 6 storeys high with a very impressive view of the forest tree tops.
The new tracks, bridge and boardwalk have been built to a standard to help prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease, which is especially important in this park.
*** Please always clean your shoes, bikes, prams and wheelchairs at the stations. ***
Note: We made the decision to allow public access earlier than expected to prevent further damage to the forest by those who were throwing the fences into the trees 🙁
- Funded by the Kaipātiki Local Board and Natural Environment Targeted Rate.