law
23 Feb 2026

What are your rights when it comes to neighbour's trees

From Nights, 8:30 pm on 23 February 2026

The recent wild weather has got us thinking about what the rules are when you're worried your neighbour's tree might fall on your house.

So if you're worried your neighbour's tree is unsafe and could fall and damage your property, are you allowed to cut it down?

Senior Associate at Smith and Partners Lawyers,  Nathan Tetzlaff joins Emile Donovan.

Trees blown down in the Wellington suburb of Brooklyn.

Trees blown down in the Wellington suburb of Brooklyn. Photo: RNZ / Pokere Paewai