Costly end to Arkles Bay pōhutukawa tree fiasco
Hi neighbours. The Arkles Bay pōhutukawa trees that were poisoned at the end of last year have been replaced by three new trees. The care of the old trees, and then the removal, purchase and planting of the new trees, and the installation of protective bollards cost Auckland Council a whopping $50,000. The culprits were never identified by police or council. If caught, they could have been fined between $300-600K.
Auckland Council doesn't have any specific numbers on native tree poisonings in the region, but we find ourselves reporting cases frequently. Have you had trees near your home poisoned? Let us know in the comments.
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Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
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.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.3% Human-centred experience and communication
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15% Critical thinking
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29.8% Resilience and adaptability
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2.9% Other - I will share below!
Prices slashed for the weekend
Epic books from a collectors collection, only $1 a book today and all weekend long, some great art books and books on NZ history, bestsellers, and lots more.
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