Pines Beach residents still waiting on apology for 'Fairy Forest' destruction

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

Devastated Pines Beach residents say they’re still waiting on an apology for the destruction of their beloved ‘Fairy Forest.’

The reason the fairy forest, also known to locals as ‘The Shack,’ in North Canterbury was destroyed by a council contractor remains unclear.

A meeting has been scheduled between the Waimakariri District Council and its logging contractor, which has been pinpointed as the culprit.

A council spokesperson said the remediation of the site around the fairy forest continues after the forestry harvest, with remaining debris being cleared from the site by contractors.

“Once this is complete we will be able to visit the site with the Te Kohaka o Tuhaitara Trust and develop a way forward with input from the community,” the spokesperson said.

On Tuesday, Pines Beach resident Jacinta Sutherland said she had yet to receive a response from council to an email she sent on March 15 asking why the forest was destroyed and what would be done to reinstate it.

“Even an update or a phone call would have been well received. I really hope an apology is also on the cards for what has happened to something that was so special to the locals for such a long time."