Rotary TreesOur Sanders Reserve project on Auckland’s North Shore achieved notoriety at the start of 2022, with the great majority of the plants (approx. 5,500) being ‘mown’ by contractors under the direction of the Local Board.
This controversial action was done on the disputed basis that there was no Local Board agreement for the planting plan and the trees would end up blocking the view. The planting had the written support of the relevant Auckland Council staff and was managed by Conservation Volunteers New Zealand.
Following much social media response and with the timely intervention of the Rotary Trees Trust (Rotary Forests of Peace, Remembrance and Community), Auckland Council, with the support of the Local Board, agreed to fund the planting of the same number of trees on a different site within the Reserve. These have now been planted by the many enthusiastic local volunteers in what is a great outcome for all involved, and with thanks to Auckland Council for their willingness to resolve the situation.