16 December 2015

7:00am

Grassroots Saving Kauri Campaign Goes Global, Gets Goff’s Support & Launches Givealittle Page

The grassroots campaign against the felling of an ancient Kauri tree in Titirangi has been further boosted financially and politically.

Auckland Mayoral frontrunner and Labour MP, Phil Goff is due to visit the Paturoa Street site today at 9am to convey his support and a Givealittle online fundraising page has been launched.

“Donations will help secure the safety of the Kauri forever and assist with legal costs” says Aprilanne Bonar, Save Our Kauri Community Group spokesperson.

What has happened in West Auckland “with the pendulum swinging too far in favour of landowners and away from tree protection” has struck a raw nerve with people all over the world Bonar believes.

The escalating public outrage about the situation is now fuelling financial support says the community group. It’s been helped by a viral social media ‘selfie’ #SaveOurKauri hashtag campaign that’s attracted images from as far away as Europe and Canada.

While dialogue continues on in the background through the officially appointed mediator in the hope to resolve the stalemate, arborist and professional climber Johno Smith will spend his fourth night up in the canopy of the centuries old tree.

Mana whenua iwi who were the first to settle in the district have come out saying “the tree must stay – he (Lenihan) gave his word” in its capacity as tangata e mana whenua are. It’s a firm belief held by the Kaitiaki* following the previous occupation in March when the developers promised not to chop the Kauri down.

Other high profile and vocal advocates backing the Save Our Kauri community include former Prime Minister Helen Clark, actor Sam Neill, model Rachel Hunter, members of the Waitākere Ranges Local Board and various Members of Parliament from the Green and Labour Parties.

ENDS

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