A century-old pohutukawa in Mt Eden, Auckland, appears to have been saved from any potential to be cut down, according to the Tree Council.
Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook
The tree, located on 8 Eglinton Avenue, was at risk after Auckland Council left it off its protected tree schedule.
In a statement on Wednesday evening, the Tree Council said an agreement has been reached with the landowner of 8 Eglinton Ave and Auckland Council that would "ensure that the notable pohutukawa that sits on top of a volcanic feature in the garden of the property will be retained".
An interim enforcement order was issued to prevent the tree's removal until the Environment Court could address the issue of amending the error that led to it being omitted from Schedule 10 Notable Trees in the Auckland Unitary Plan, the Tree Council said.
The order would remain in place until Auckland Council publicly notified a plan change - by 14 October at the latest - to add the tree back into the schedule, the Tree Council said.
"Auckland Council will put the decision to notify the plan change to the Planning Committee in July for ratification," the statement said.
"The landowner Mr Zheng wishes to meet with both Auckland Council and the Tree Council to discuss how a development can proceed on the site that can both retain the tree and accommodate his desire to develop the property."
Tree Council chairperson Sean Freeman said it was a "win-win-win for the landowner, community, council, the environment and future generations of Aucklanders".
"We want to thank Mr Zheng for being willing to accommodate retention of the tree in his development plans and we want to thank Auckland Council for being prepared to fund a plan change to correct the error that they concede was made in the preparation of the Unitary Plan.
"However, most of all we want to thank our Board Member Mark Lockhart who has worked tirelessly over a number of weeks to make this happen and to fundraise to cover our legal fees - and to everyone who has supported us and made a donation. You are a legend Mark, thank you for your mahi."
