LETTERS & EMAILS

TWELVE ANGRY MEN The landmark macrocarpa tree at the Army Recruiting office which is being reduced to sawdust as I write will be sadly missed. I don’t know if the community or council was consulted.

After receiving this message from the Ponsonby News on Wednesday 23 September, I raced to 189 Great North Road, to defend this magnificent macrocarpa only to be confronted by 12 aggressive men and one woman.

On the outside of the wire fence one of the traffic management crew was so angry that I feared for my safety. A tall man from the Defence Force, dressed in black, his face depersonalised by a solid black mask, towered over me and kept moving within my one metre social distance, attempting to back me away. We were still at Level 3 lockdown. Adrenaline pumping, I stood my ground, all 5’ 1” of it.

When the arborist, Sam, arrived back on site he called me over, “Gael, you know me from Canal Road Tree Protection.” He explained how there had been lots of professional help to save the tree with hawsers holding branches together. But that fight was over.

The rot inside the trunk meant that it wasn’t able to support the weight of its very heavy branches and that had caused a huge vertical split in the trunk made worse by arson a few years ago. The extent of the rot was so bad that they couldn’t count the rings to confirm the age of over 100 years.

This tree had been on the ‘Notable Tree Register’ until the current unitary plan but wasn’t included because of its poor health. The problem with Auckland no longer having ‘tree protection’ is that even the local board weren’t privy to the decision to euthanise our landmark tree. There is no explanation on why the Norfolk pines were also removed. That meant that the community weren’t consulted or informed of this decision. The Defence Force could have reassured community of this unfortunate, whilst necessary decision, by erecting a sign on the fence explaining this big loss to our city.

Ngati Whatua as mana whenua could also have been there to honour its role as a bird habitat, aesthetic beautifier of our neighbourhood, carbon sequester and oxygen producer, and blessed its spirit in a karakia as an important member of our community. Deep ease and relaxation

The high density of apartments in this special housing area means there is a lack of green spaces. Turning this into a pocket park planted with new trees of significant size would enhance the area and put the community’s fears to rest that the intention of tree removal isn’t for another development.

I have approached the Waitemata Local Board with the pocket park idea. They have passed a motion to investigate that idea with the Ministry of Defence. Fingers crossed! Gael Baldock, Tree Protector and Community Advocate

A SHOUT OUT TO AUCKLAND COUNCIL I’d like to say a big thank you to whoever runs the gardens for the Auckland Council and particularly Western Park. In recent years the grass has been mown in springtime and the growth of the wild crocus has been halted.

This year those flowers were there in their full glory and what a wonderful sight.

For those of us who use the park regularly it has been a joy over the past month to view the swathes and drifts of mostly white, but also rich golden cream, striped, and even full purple crocus all over the park. We have not had it so lovely for several years. Thank you so much for leaving them. Keep it up do!

MICHAEL OWEN SHEN® THERAPY

Moyra Elliott, Ponsonby Emotional transformation

T: 09 376 9599 Email: mowenshens@gmail.com www.emotionalwellbeing.co.nz