Claim stalls planting atop One Tree Hill

By BERNARD ORSMAN

A treaty claim has delayed indefinitely the replanting of six trees at the summit of One Tree Hill, which was set to happen at a dawn ceremony tomorrow.

Ngati Whatua Maori Trust Board chairman Sir Hugh Kawharu yesterday dropped the bombshell when he notified the Auckland City Council that he would be unable to attend the ceremony.

Sir Hugh said Ngati Whatua had a claim on Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill), which was at the negotiating stage with the Office of Treaty Settlements. The tribe did not want the claim jeopardised.

He said the claim was expected to be heard in the "very near future".

Six young pohutukawa, taken from the trunk of the former monterey pine tree, were due to be planted tomorrow on the summit by Auckland Mayor John Banks and Ngati Whatua representatives, including Sir Hugh.

After two years, the strongest pohutukawa to survive were to be joined by three totara.

Mr Banks last night said he was disappointed the ceremony would not proceed. The ceremony would be postponed until such time that Ngati Whatua indicated they could join the occasion.

The original, 125-year-old pine tree was removed two years ago after it became unsafe following chainsaw attacks in 1994 and 1999.

Feature: Tree on the Hill