4 Jun 2014

Fined tree-feller planning book

9:45 pm on 4 June 2014

A Hastings man fined more than $26,000 for chopping down his neighbour's trees, plans to write a book about the episode.

John Tasker says he will send a copy to every MP asking them to change the law.

The 80-year-old said his property had a sea view when he bought it but this was obscured when his neighbour started planting trees.

Tasker said he couldn't find a way to get the trees removed legally, so he jumped the fence with a chainsaw and felled about 20 of them.

He said he now regrets his actions, but thinks a view is an asset that should be protected by law.