A planning hearing has recommended the axing of a row of 80-year-old pohutukawa in central Auckland to make way for road-widening.
The under-threat pohutukawa on Great North Road, near Western Springs and St Lukes Road, in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Todd Niall
Council agency Auckland Transport wants to remove the six trees opposite the Museum of Transport and Technology in Western Springs to widen Great North Road.
The decision is a blow to the Waitemata Local Board which had led efforts to save the trees.
Independent planning commissioners have concluded that, on balance, the roadworks around the St Lukes Road motorway interchange require the land on which the trees sit to be taken.
Auckland Transport has proposed replacing the pohutukawa with smaller mature trees.
