23 December 2015
6.10 pm

Judicial Review Successfully Sought & Community Holds Vigil for Ancient Kauri Tonight

An application by neighbours for interim orders has been granted by the High Court in Auckland this afternoon.

Securing the injunction means all activity has been halted onsite until the hearing. It prevents further harm to both the ancient Kauri and Rimu pending the judicial review of the consent decision to fell them.

The matter has been granted a one day substantive fixture on the next available date after 26 February 2016. The respondents involved are the Auckland Council, John Lenihan, Jane Greensmith and Anhtony Gore who are trustees of the Lenihan and Greensmith Family Trust.

"We are asking the court to review the consents allowing the ancient Kauri and Rimu trees to be cut down at 40 and 42 Paturoa Road as we believe those consents should not have been granted" says Aprilanne Bonar, Save Our Kauri Community Group spokesperson.

Whilst matters are now before the Court, Save Our Kauri is not willing to make any further comment about the legal proceedings.
This evening a vigil is to be held at 6.30pm at the Paturoa Street site by the community as it bands together out of concern for the stricken tree.

“After the shocking attack today the community have once again rallied together to save our Kauri and now we are saving her on yet another level” says Aprilanne.

The current situation is an example of systemic failure Save Our Kauri believes. The community voice has not been heard, processes haven’t worked and the Auckland Council assessment needs a relook and a rethink she says.

“What we’ve seen is a legacy decision being made autocratically and subjectively.”

“We are united with an intention to challenge the processes to be absolutely certain that it was a well-considered decision and identify a clear benchmark for the community to understand.”

In March Michael Tavares occupied the ancient Kauri tree for three days and descended after an open letter with a public promise indicated that the native trees will be saved by the developers. In December the community stepped in again after contractors came onsite to fell the trees.

To date the community cause has attracted over 10,000 followers on Facebook and the support of 30,000 signatures on the ‘Save the Paturoa Kauri’ petition.

ENDS

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