Auckland City Council

Mayor of Auckland City, Chris Fletcher and representatives from the environmental and ecological groups who staged an occupation at Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill last weekend, yesterday agreed on a process for appropriate native plantings.

Chris Fletcher and Nandor Tanczos, spokesperson for the Wild Greens, agreed it was a very productive and useful meeting following Chris Fletcher’s visit to the EcoNation occupation site over the weekend.

"A win/win outcome has been achieved," they said.

It was agreed that Auckland City would work with the group to investigate a suitable site for a symbolic planting at the Auckland Domain.

The planting would be in accordance with the Domain management plan and in consultation with Tangata Whenua, using the trees the group had planned to plant at Maungakiekie.

Nandor Tanczos said, "We see this as a good outcome. The occupation’s goal was to promote the EcoNation vision – a new partnership between citizens, communities, business and government for the social and ecological renewal of our country.

This is compatible with vision of Auckland as the ‘First City of the Pacific’, and the meeting demonstrated the mayors commitment to those values, " he said.

A consultation process was also agreed to between Auckland City, environmental groups and the Tangata Whenua Consultative Committee to determine whether there are any acceptable sites for native planting within the One Tree Hill reserve.

It was acknowledged that Maungakiekie is a place of special importance to Tangata Whenua and Iwi, with high archaeological value and therefore requires sensitivity and full consultation with all parties.

Chris Fletcher says she looks forward to greater consultation and working in a positive approach with those who care about the environment.

"Protecting and enhancing our environment is crucial to a high quality of life. The protest has highlighted this message which I have given to Politicians and Chief Executives who have been in Auckland during APEC," she said.

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