KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's very own Christmas tree will blossom in Aotea Square.
The Auckland City Council has voted to plant pohutukawas instead of nikaus in the upgrade of the civic square - despite the councillor in charge of a $26.1 million project going against the wishes of Aucklanders when selecting a tree species for the main paved area.
Greg Moyles sided with landscape consultants, who favoured two rows of tall nikau palms to preserve view lines across the square and a link to the nikau palms in Queen St.
During consultation, the public strongly objected to the choice of nikau and lack of shade they provided. Bland, scruffy and an unwelcome barrier were some of the comments.
Even council officers read the public mood and recommended replacing the nikaus with totara trees or pohutukawa as a second choice.
But Mr Moyle recommended to the arts, culture and recreation committee he chairs to go with nikau palms. Instead of two rows of 10 nikaus, he suggested one row of 10 trees to save $300,000 in tree and tree pit costs.
He argued that the primary use of the square was as an events space that required clear sightlines, and the tall, thin native palms were best suited.
However, Mr Moyle failed to win the support of his Citizens & Ratepayers colleagues who, one by one, fell in line with City Vision-Labour councillors' wish for two rows of five pohutukawa trees.
Even when every other member of the committee came to vote for pohutukawa trees, Mr Moyle cast a solitary vote for nikaus.
The final motion noted pohutukawa were majestic and supported the native planting theme, were hardier than totara, vandalism resistant, provided good shade and sightlines, and came at a modest cost.
City Vision councillor Glenda Fryer, who led the move for pohutukawas, said the iconic tree would provide shade for the many Aucklanders who sat in Aotea Square to eat lunch, meet friends and relax.
Councillor Moyle's plan to use nikaus would not have provided any protection from the harsh Auckland sun, she said.
