2 April 2015

MPs pledge to meet threatened trees

MPs from across the House met today on Parliament's forecourt to acknowledge the recent outcry against a consent granted to fell an ancient kauri, and to pledge to meet other similarly affected communities.

Michael Tavares, who last month spent 4 days up a Kauri in Titirangi, was joined by Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox, Labour MP and Member for New Lynn David Cunliffe, Green Party co-Leader Metiria Turei, Green Party Conservation spokesperson Eugenie Sage, Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty, and Green Party RMA spokesperson Julie Anne Genter. The MPs have all pledged to take time over their upcoming 3 week recess to meet communities across New Zealand who are trying to protect trees consented for felling.

"As soon as I got down from the Kauri I started hearing the same story from locals all over the country, that their trees are at risk too, and that they aren’t being listened to." said Mr Tavares.

"I've been approached by people from all over Aotearoa, asking for help to save precious trees that have had resource consent for their execution granted.

"I can’t sit in every tree, this was always a bigger issue than one kauri in Titirangi. The RMA is now so weak that it is failing to give our Taonga the protection we want and expect.

The MPs have been presented with a list of threatened trees from across the country, and have committed to visit to a tree to meet the locals trying to save it, and understand the nationwide impacts of a weakened RMA.

"Something is very wrong when communities across the country are being ignored in their efforts to protect their local trees." said Mr Cunliffe.

"Clearly the Government has got it wrong. Communities across New Zealand are being told they can’t protect the trees they love - that's not right." said Green Party Environment spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.

"The Greens believe in a strong RMA that would give these trees the protection they deserve. Trees make our cities and towns healthier and pleasanter places to live," said Green Party Conservation spokesperson Eugenie Sage.

"Kaitiakitanga and environmental protections should not be sacrificed for supposed economic benefit. These communities deserve to be heard, and the rules should provide the protection and security that they expect for this and subsequent generations", said Ms Fox.

"I hope that by connecting MPs to the people at the frontline of these flawed rules, we can stop any further attacks on the RMA, and restore the original intent of the Act.” said Mr Tavares.
"New Zealanders have made it very clear - our trees are worth protecting. Hopefully soon that's a reality for all these groups."

© Scoop Media