Activists scale Avondale trees to protect them from the axe
Hi neighbours,
Activists have climbed up native trees in Auckland's Avondale to stop developers from cutting them down.
Green Party candidate Steve Abel said only 23 of the 46 trees that originally stood at the site on Canal Road remain.
"They [the activists] don't intend to move," he told The AM Show on Tuesday. "They intend to stay there so the trees can't be cut down. The community will continue to resist. We're going to save these trees - we have to. We can't afford to let them be lost."
Abel was banned from the site after scaling one of the trees in July.
Blanket protection of trees in Auckland was removed in 2012 by the National government.
Auckland Council says only one tree in the reserve - a pohutakawa - is protected. It proposed a land exchange - taking ownership of the land the trees sat on, and offering the developer a nearby unused reserve - but this offer was rejected.
The previous owners of the site, the Raymond family, said the developer made removal of the trees a condition of the sale.
More than 7000 people have signed a petition calling for the council to buy the land.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
-
77.3% Yes
-
21.8% No
-
0.9% Other - I'll share below
BLOCKHOUSE BAY MARKET
Come and join us today rain or shine! Parking available opposite at the medical centre or behind the community centre itself.Hope to see you there!
BLOCKHOUSE BAY MARKET
COME AND SUPPORT LOCAL PEOPLE, NZ MADE OR FIND A BARGAIN! PARKING AVAILABLE OPPOSITE COMMUNITY CENTRE AT THE MEDICAL CENTRE OR BEHIND COMMUNITY CENTRE ITSELF! THIS IS A LONG RUNNING MARKET THAT IS ON RAIN OR SHINE! WE LOOK FOWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE