Save the Khyber Pass Pohutukawa
Glen Heath - CEO of Mansons TCLM
An iconic 120 year old Pohutukawa tree is under threat of being felled for development. The tree is part of the Khyber Pass streetscape, in a historic precinct that includes St. David’s Presbyterian Church at the intersection of Khyber Pass and Madeira Place. The property at 70 Khyber Pass Road has recently been sold by the Presbyterian Church, and is under contract to Mansons TCLM.
The Pohutukawa is at the south western corner of the property and on the northern side of Khyber Pass, and stands along with a Puriri tree outside St. David’s Church. These trees are part of a visually significant group of four mature Pohutukawa and one Puriri, in close proximity on Khyber Pass, only one of which is scheduled.
In the absence of tree protection, all of these trees apart from the tree on the corner of Burleigh Street and Khyber Pass could be removed. This situation is compounded by Auckland Council's refusal to schedule (formally protect) any trees for 10 years.
Please support us in our bid to protect this tree for future generations, and restore tree protection in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Sponsored by
To:
Glen Heath - CEO of Mansons TCLM
From:
[Your Name]
Dear Glen Heath,
We call on you to protect the majestic 120 year old Pohutukawa tree on the property at 70 Khyber Pass Road that Mansons TCLM has under contract. In your plans to develop this property, you must plan to keep this tree standing.
We face a climate and ecological crisis that puts all of our futures at risk, but especially our younger generations. As our towns and cities become more densely populated and green spaces disappear, people are losing touch with nature, and we’re losing the old trees that provide much needed resilience in the face of climate change and ecological collapse.
Big, native trees are home to kereru, tui, kotare and countless other birds and insects - and they provide a priceless community asset, a place of shelter, recreation and connection. They clean the air, they keep us cool in summer, they store carbon and they make great places to play.
Up to one third of Auckland's urban trees have been destroyed since the last National Government removed general tree protection in 2012.
Please protect this tree.