Board wants Shaw to plant big new tree

The Maungakiekie Community Board has recommended that the Auckland developer convicted of chopping down a protected pohutukawa in Onehunga plant a large specimen tree in its place with views from the street.

George Bernard Shaw was convicted last year of hiring contractors to destroy the century-old tree growing on a section he owns in Mt Smart Rd.

His sentencing was adjourned until March 2 for the board to make recommendations through a restorative justice process.

Mr Shaw apologised to the Auckland City Council and the public for his actions and faces a maximum fine of $200,000 or two years' imprisonment.

Last night, the board amended one recommendation from a public restorative justice meeting last month to plant a large specimen tree at the site of the destroyed tree.

The board wanted the tree planted closer to the front of the site, with an uninterrupted view from the street.

It agreed with two other recommendations, for a five-year maintenance programme for the new tree and for Mr Shaw to pay $20,000 to the board to plant trees in the community. He would take part in the tree-planting.

Mr Shaw endured a verbal roasting at the restorative justice meeting. He faced the anger of a crowd of 60 people - residents, Auckland City staff and councillors and environmental advocates. Said one Mt Smart Rd resident: "He is only sorry he got caught."

The saga started a year ago when two men were seen using chainsaws to reduce the tree, 11m high and with a 14m canopy, to a 1m stump at Shaw's $2.2 million property.

Shaw initially denied involvement and claimed he was the victim.

The conviction was his third for destroying a protected tree, the earlier convictions dating from 1996.