Auckland City Council
Media release
23 September 2009

New tree trimming rules defined

Auckland City Council has defined the limit to which residents on the isthmus can trim non-scheduled trees on private land.

New government legislation means such trees can be trimmed without consent from 1 October.

“Fair and sensible” definitions set by the City Development Committee are as follows:

Trimming of canopy (excluding roots) by the resident
• no more than 20 per cent of live growth removal in any one year, in accordance with currently accepted arboriculture practice and which does not damage the tree’s health.

By a qualified practitioner
• no more than 30 per cent of live growth in any one year, according to accepted arboriculture practice.

In both cases the natural form and branch habit of the tree species must be maintained.

You still need resource consent to trim or remove trees on streets, council parks and reserves, and on Hauraki Gulf islands.

Resource consent is needed for removing, damaging or working within the drip line of trees covered by the council’s general tree protection until 1 January 2012.

ENDS