Developer 'sorry' for tree attack

The pohutukawa tree in Mt Smart Rd, Royal Oak, may not recover. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

A developer who ordered a near-fatal attack on a giant pohutukawa tree humbled himself before an Auckland City Council committee yesterday, but it did him no good.

George Bernard Shaw ordered the hack-and-run chainsaw attack on the 11m-high tree, thought to be at least 100 years old and strictly protected under Auckland City's district plan.

The tree is being nursed back to health but suffered severe damage during the daylight attack in January, during which two men leaped from a car to chop at it.

The men left its branches splayed over the ground, its leaves grey and dying and its hacked stump just 1m high.

It is soon to be assessed by an independent arborist and may yet die.

Yesterday Mr Shaw, the property developer who owns the section on Mt Smart Rd, Royal Oak, on which the tree was growing, told the council's planning and regulatory committee he "foolishly succumbed to heavy financial stress" by ordering contractors to destroy the tree.

"Personally I wish to sincerely apologise to Auckland City Council and the community for the bad error of judgment and bad mistake, and if I could turn back the clock, I would."

Mr Shaw said he regretted and was "ashamed" of his actions.

He offered to contribute financially to a community project and has paid $50,000 towards council costs.

But the committee chairwoman, Glenda Fryer, refused to accept Mr Shaw's apology.

She told the Herald she believed he had done it in the hope of a lighter sentence when he appeared in court next week on charges of destroying the tree.

He had denied any involvement until recently when council evidence was put before him, Ms Fryer said.

"Eventually he will gain thousands [of dollars] as a result of this illegal action," she said.

"I'm pleased he [apologised] but I am still angry on behalf of the community."

After the meeting, Mr Shaw expressed anger at the long-running planning process through which he had tried to get permission to build on the Mt Smart Rd site.

He said the area was zoned for intensive development.

Destruction of a "scheduled" tree - one specifically listed for protection under the district plan - is punishable by a fine of up to $200,000 or two years' in prison.