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As part of early works for Aotea, Karangahape and Mt Eden stations, construction sites must be cleared and the removal of some trees is necessary.
We are committed to contributing to a green, liveable and sustainable city centre, and we’ll be replacing any trees we remove at a minimum of 1 to 1.
We’re planted extra trees as part of our streetscape works around Lower Albert Street and Britomart, and we’re looking to support community planting schemes and develop new planting initiatives at various sites across Auckland. We have management plans that set out measures to protect trees and vegetation near our sites for the construction period.
NEW HOME: These pōhutukawa were removed from Fenton Street, Mt Eden and replanted in Western Park, Freemans Bay
Read or download these fact sheets
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Tree Fact Sheet
PDF 2MB
What happens with the trees and how decisions were made
PDF 2MB
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Notable trees & Vegetation
PDF 4.7MB
More FAQs
When and how were the public consulted about the tree removals?
The consenting process for the City Rail Link progressed in 2012, when Auckland Transport lodged Notices of Requirement with Auckland Council. The notices were publicly notified and were the subject of a public submissions process, hearing and subsequent Environment Court appeals. This process concluded with confirmation of the designations, including a suite of conditions outlining how effects on trees should be assessed and mitigated.
What are the conditions of the designation?
The main conditions related to trees are as follows:
Removal of scheduled or notable trees should be avoided as far as practicable
A trees and vegetation plan must be implemented to identify and manage the adverse effects of construction on trees and vegetation
Consideration must be given as to whether it is appropriate and feasible to transplant or store trees
Trees near construction areas that don’t need to be removed must be adequately protected during construction
New trees must be planted across the project at a minimum 1:1 ratio.
Is there an opportunity for further public input or feedback?
As outlined in the project’s consent conditions, the trees and vegetation plans are to be developed in consultation with the community, via the Community and Business Liaison Groups.
Further, as the public realm design progresses, there will be further opportunities for public feedback on the draft streetscapes. We’ll keep you updated about our progress.
How many and what type of trees will be removed?
Across the three main precincts (Aotea, Karangahape, Mt Eden), approximately 150 trees will be removed that have been identified as part of the early works to facilitate the main station construction. The trees to be removed vary in species, age and size. Most are exotics and not notable. A small amount are native trees.
Will any notable trees be removed?
There are 14 tulip trees on Mayoral Drive that need to be removed. These 14 trees are part of a wider group of 167 tulip trees. This group of tulip trees is identified as notable within the Auckland Unitary Plan. In terms of mitigation for this particular group, large grade (around 5-6m high) replacement tulip trees will be planted within the vicinity of the project area so as to continue the boulevard effect of the wider group. In Mt Eden, another notable tree known as the flame tree is being assessed.
What kind of trees will be planted and where will they be planted? Will they be exotics or native trees?
These details are still being confirmed, however there is likely to be a mix between native and exotic trees. Further community input will be sought as part of the overall streetscape and plantings design process.
Why can’t you temporarily transplant the trees somewhere else, like they have done on Quay Street?
In a number of cases, the tree roots are deeply entangled with multiple underground utilities, which make it difficult to transplant and reduce the likelihood of survival. Other trees are in poor health or have reached a level of maturity that makes successful transplanting unlikely. The cost to transplant a tree includes removal, transport, storage and care as well as the cost to replant the tree again. The decision to transplant must be weighed up against the cost of sourcing new trees from a nursery – which is often a fraction of the transplant cost.
What’s happening to the Harvey Tree and the plinth next to it? When is this being removed?
Cuttings from an historic tree in central Auckland are being lovingly cultivated in a nursery, ready to take the place of their parent tree - which had to be removed for station works.
The Harvey Tree, an oriental plane tree growing outside 93 Albert Street, was planted in the 1960s or 70s by businessman Les Harvey. It had to be removed as its roots were severely intertwined with the utilities (gas, water mains, electrical cables) beneath the footpath. The roots were so intertwined there was a risk that trying to relocate it could kill the tree.
The Harvey Tree, along with four others along this same stretch of Albert Street, were removed because they were in the footprint of where the underground Aotea Station will be built.
Aotea will be 15 metres deep and 300m long – and is expected to be New Zealand's busiest train station. With entrances on Victoria and Wellesley Streets, the underground station will also be future-proofed for any future decision to create a North Shore rail line.
Deputy project director for the Link Alliance, Dale Burtenshaw said, “Removing trees is necessary for our works programme, but every tree cleared will be replaced when we start street improvements after construction is finished.”
How will you reuse the chipped trees?
We are working with project partners to determine their best use, including whether they can be utilised in city centre parks and gardens.
Who is removing the trees?
NZ Tree Smiths have been selected as our contractor for the initial removal of trees in the Aotea area.
How is the Link Alliance contributing to regenerating Auckland’s canopy cover?
The Link Alliance has committed to taking part in a much larger community planting programme, utilising our substantial workforce. In 2020, we expect to publicise detail of what this entails.
Media Release
Greener streets will replace trees removed for CRL
As work continues to accelerate for Auckland’s step-change City Rail Link (CRL) project, trees are being removed from the sites for the project’s new Aotea and Karangahape Stations and the redeveloped Mt Eden Station.
“Removing trees is necessary for our works programme, but every tree cleared will be replaced when we start street improvements after construction is finished,” says Dale Burtenshaw, Deputy Project Director for the Link Alliance.
“The public spaces around the stations will be a lot greener for people to enjoy when our job is done.”
The first site being cleared is at the Aotea Station in central Auckland. During December and January, trees will be removed from the open-air Bledisloe carpark, and some trees along Mayoral Drive, and in Albert and Victoria Streets.
The Karangahape and Mt Eden station sites will be cleared in early 2020.
The trees vary in species, age and size. Most are exotic or overseas species. A small number are natives. Around 150 trees will be removed from all three station sites.
Mr Burtenshaw says the Link Alliance and City Rail Link Ltd have worked with Mana Whenua and Auckland Council to investigate if construction work could be managed alongside pruning, fencing off or transplanting trees.
“Significant root entanglement with underground utility services means most of the trees are unable to be transplanted.”
One tree to be removed is an Oriental plane known as the Harvey Tree, growing outside 93 Albert Street since the 1960s or 70s. Investigations indicate substantial root entanglement rules out transplanting. It is proposed that a cutting taken from the tree will be replanted nearby as part of the street improvements.
Trees that are being cleared have been offered to Mana Whenua, and to local wood turners and other wood craft people. Unwanted wood will be chipped and, where possible, reused on site.
Mr Burtenshaw says sustainability is a key objective for the Link Alliance and the project.
“The benefits of the City Rail Link reach well beyond creating a transformational change to the city’s public transport system. It also brings the opportunity to transform streets around the stations into pedestrian friendly, green and open public spaces,” he says.
Extra trees are planned around the Britomart and Lower Albert Street parts of CRL.
Mr Burtenshaw says replanting and streetscape plans will be developed for Aotea, Karangahape and Mt Eden Stations, and local communities will be invited to provide feedback.