Ill-tree-ted trees split town
Newly-planted pohutukawa and flax were strewn about a South Taranaki clifftop during the night, as a stoush over trees versus sea views divides a quiet coastal community.
A street meeting called by one resident in an effort to quell division on a small street in Opunake over whether trees should be removed to give them a sea view.
A stand of native bush that has sheltered residents of Halse Place by Middleton Bay from strong sea winds for more than 20 years was illegally slashed down a few weeks ago.
A crew of elderly volunteers spent a day helping South Taranaki District Council staff plant flax and pohutukawa amongst the stumps of the cut trees only to have the new plants again removed.
‘‘We were sitting in the dark and we noticed two or three people within the area. It was pretty dark and hard to see because of the rain, they went through and pulled the new trees out of the ground,’’ said witness Michael Griggs.
‘‘There needs to be robust conversation, it’s for the whole community, It’s not just the people living on the street being selfish regarding views or not views. This is a fire cracker that’s started a conversation.’’
The Shelter and Beautification Society planted the original trees, South Taranaki District Council property and facilities manager John Sargeant said.
‘‘"There needs to be robust conversation, it's for the whole community,"’’
Michael Griggs, tree removal witness.