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Tree Protection Laws

Tree Protection Laws

With constant changes and updates to the regulations it can be difficult to determine what is protected and what is not.

It depends mainly upon which residential zone your property is in such as Residential 2A, 4B, 6 etc. These zones are scattered throughout Auckland in what seems to be no particular order and the only way to know for sure is to contact the Council (We will take care of this). Other factors include the presence of individually listed protected trees, any trees planted as a condition of a resource consent and whether or not the property falls under the Council’s definition of an “Urban Environment”.

To really be sure you are not breaking the law EVERY property must be individually checked. At Tree King we do all of this for you often before we even visit the site. Because we check so many we can do so very efficiently. We have a good working relationship with Council staff, know what questions to ask, what is relevant to the site and what information needs to be recorded to ensure the job will run smoothly. If the trees are protected we can often organise a resource consent free of charge.

Common Questions

Not exactly. Although there were radical changes and blanket protection was removed there are still many zones and properties that remain protected.
If caught, you the property and the contractor carrying out the work will receive a hefty fine. In some cases these are tens of thousands of dollars.
No. The properties are checked by staff at the planners help desk who are not the part of the same part of the Council that goes around catching offenders. There is no formal record kept of whether or not someone has called to check a particular property. Despite this we STRONGLY recommend you obey the law. Resource Consents are not necessarily difficult to obtain and the consequences of being caught doing otherwise can be severe.
Usually free.
This depends on whether the property fits the definition of an urban environment, whether any of the trees are listed as well as other factors. We will need to check the property with the Council.
”Urban environment” means: “an allotment no greater than 4000m2
(a) that is connected to a reticulated water supply and a reticulated
sewerage system; and
(b) on which is a building used for industrial or commercial purposes, or a dwellinghouse”.

The main area we have found where this causes problems is with individual subdivisions. Often the property will fall under the “Urban Environment” definition until it is divided. The newly created section has no house on it which means any large trees on the section become protected and now need resource consent to be removed. These trees could have simply been removed without the complications of a resource consent before the property was subdivided.
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HAPPY CLIENTS

“Great job as usual, polite guys, cleaned up well and left the place looking great.”

Caroline
October 2018

“Fast workers – scheduled within a week of contact at my convenience. I liked how professional and automated the acceptance of the contract and invoicing was. All within a single email. Also attention paid to how much I wanted my trees trimmed. And although three trees were stumped – cleaned up well after themselves. They did such a good job, I won’t be needing them for a couple of years. But when I do – I know who to come back to!”

David
June 2019

“Fantastic job on two large difficult trees to thin and shape. The 2 workers were very tidy, safe and pleasant. I will certainly use Tree King in the future.”

Bronwen
May 2019

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Trevor
June 2019

“We have been working with Tree King for the last five years.  During this time we have found them efficient, co-operative and very safety conscience during any tree removal.  They are polite and professional to deal with.  We thoroughly recommend Tree King and its staff for a great job well done.”

Sampson & Stewart Builders Ltd

“Great job by the Tree King lads removing our enormous Washingtonian palm and tidying up the trees on our section. Arrived exactly on time, job was completed quickly and to a very high standard. Would definitely recommend them and will be using their services again in the future :)”

Wayne
September 2018

“…. I can not speak highly enough of the professionalism and efficiency of the crew. The tree work was not straight forward, however it was clear from the outset that the crew had taken the time to think through the logistics and details of the job…..”

Leighton
November 2018

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Tracey
April 2018

“Very happy, responded to query fast with quote, job was done very well and garden immaculately tidy afterwards. Definitely recommend.”

John
October 2018

“….This is the second time we have used them for tree cutting, crown lifting, shaping and hedge cutting on a large scale. They are very professional, courteous, on time, tidy and produce the service and results they said they would….”

Karen
November 2018