Citizens Advice Bureau

Dusk. Relentless wind. A loud crack. An almighty crash. She peeks outside and sees her neighbour’s tree smashed over the boundary fence.

By next morning, the big wind has gone. No sign of her neighbour. On holiday, she guesses. Gathering all her strength and a ladder, she pushes the broken branches back over the fence.

Days come and go. Leaves fly about. The neighbour spies her over the fence and yells, ‘You. You there, you mutilated my tree!’

‘The wind—’

‘You swung on it. Swung on it like a monkey. Snapped it, you did.’

‘No—’

‘Well, you would deny it. Wouldn’t you?’

He storms away, leaving resolution up for grabs and down to her.

But it’s hopeless. Everything is wrong. What to do? What to do?

She contacts Citizens Advice Bureau and pretty soon feels as calm as a cup of tea. After talking through the issues with grace and perspective, she comes away armed with knowledge.

Verified, nuanced and non-judgemental knowledge about her rights and obligations.

Fast growing trees are prone to dropping limbs in high winds. Technically, the limbs belong to the neighbour, so she was allowed to push them over the fence, although in the interest of good relations, she could’ve waited to chat with him first. His rage, his baseless accusation says more about him than it does about her.

Thus armed, she feels confident to tell her neighbour he’s barking up the wrong tree.

Everyone and anyone can ask Citizens Advice Bureau (www.cab.org.nz) about everything and anything, via email, online chat, or face-to-face at locations across Christchurch and Selwyn:

Salvation Army Building

250 Colombo St, Sydenham, 03 366 6490

Fendalton Library

4 Jeffreys Road, 03 351 7804

Hornby Community Care Centre

Goulding Ave, 03 349 5236

Eastgate Mall - Upstairs in the library at The Loft

Every Tuesday from 11-2pm

Rolleston, Te Ara Atea

Ring to check hours, monthly 03 349 5236.

Citizens Advice Bureau

Free phone 0800 367 222

Visit our web site www.cab.org.nz