Havelock North residents claim mature walnut trees 'vandalised'

Peter Berry (left), Glenn Kastrinos, Hailie Heath and Dorian Kastrinos are upset two mature walnut trees were severely cut back by an orchard company despite being on public land. Photo / Paul Taylor

Havelock North residents are upset two 50-year-old walnut trees on public land were hacked by corporate grower Bostock New Zealand.

Local man Peter Berry, who has collected the trees' fruit for years, said confusion had ensued after the high-profile grower claimed the company was given permission by Hawke's Bay Regional Council because the trees next to its orchard were a biosecurity risk.

Yet in a statement to Hawke's Bay Today earlier this week, council spokeswoman Helen Shea said the council did not give permission to fell the trees, "nor was any permission sought".

However, later, council chairman Rex Graham said the statement from Shea was wrong and there was "some confusion in the communication".

"Walnut trees are not good for organic orchards; they harbour pests.. My understanding is they [walnut trees] could be salvaged but it may not be the best solution, given they are next to organic orchards or it may be the best solution, I'm not sure," Graham said.

Bostock New Zealand owner John Bostock said before they "heavily pruned" the walnut trees they underwent "a diligent process, ensuring proper consultation and approval from HBRC, neighbours and iwi".

"Sadly walnut trees pose a significant biosecurity risk for exporters and access to important international markets, as they host pests such as codling moth," Bostock said.

"Walnuts are also a host to rodents and pests, which compromise the native planting and amenity areas along the Karamu Stream."

In a letter to Hawke's Bay Today, Berry said, "In the interest of fairness, I rang [Bostock New Zealand] and gave them a chance to give their side of the story.

"It is a case of somebody with lots of money taking something off the public of Hawke's Bay. Whether the council gave permission or not, I still don't think it should have happened. I don't think the council should have given permission."

He had collected "first quality" walnuts off the two trees for years and understood them to be at least 50 years old.

Andy Black, who also collected buckets of walnuts, describes the incident as "vandalism".

"We need to stand up for our public land. We can't have private companies, whatever their motivations or justification, coming on to public land – our land - and simply knocking down trees."

In an email sourced by Hawke's Bay Today, Bostock NZ said it had three witnesses willing to testify "in any forum" that permission was granted for the removal of the trees.

It's understood the company has now ceased cutting down the third tree and the two heavily pruned trees until clarification from council can be obtained.

Ngati Kahungunu chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana declined to comment.