1625 days ago

Tree-felling at exclusive golf course divides members, neighbours

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

A plan to cut down about 200 trees on an exclusive Christchurch golf course has triggered an emotive debate, dividing club members and residents.

Christchurch Golf Club has already started felling the trees, mostly pine and macrocarpa, at its course in Shirley after consulting arborists and its course committee. General manager Mike Hadley acknowledged the removal was a sensitive issue – some club members lobbied to retain them – but said the club wanted to restore the course to its links origins.

Links courses tend to be on or near a coast and feature dunes, undulating greens and few, if any, trees.

Mark Belton, managing director of Permanent Forests NZ Ltd, which specialises in growing forests for carbon sequestration and conservation, said the club could have consulted nearby residents about the tree removal.

“Urban planning and urban forests in National Park Christchurch needs to be carefully considered to get the right trees in the right places to create habitats for birds but that don't cause issues for neighbourhoods."

Read more here and read more about the campaign to make Christhcurch a National Park City here.

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More messages from your neighbours
22 hours ago

🧩😏 Riddle me this, Neighbours…

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I am an odd number. Take away a letter and I become even. What number am I?

Do you think you know the answer?

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21 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

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5 hours ago

Step by step for a great cause!

Diana Isaac Retirement Village

Our amazing Hillary Hikers from Edmund Hillary Village showed their support for Bowel Cancer New Zealand's Move Your Butt campaign this month!

Sporting the bright purple and orange campaign shirts, these wonderful walkers hit the Auckland waterfront and marched from Mission Bay to Kohimarama, raising awareness for bowel cancer and the importance of early detection along the way.

Click read more to read the full story.

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