The Tūrangi community has expressed disappointment and concern after a significant oak tree on Taupahi Road, listed as an amenity tree in the Taupō District Plan, was nearly felled during scheduled maintenance last week.
The incident occurred on Thursday, 14 November, when a council-contracted arborist mistakenly removed all the tree's lower limbs, leaving part of the canopy intact. The work was part of routine maintenance, but the situation escalated when the extent of the trimming became apparent.
Warrick Zander, General Manager of Strategy and Environment at Taupō District Council, confirmed that the mistake was identified partway through the operation, prompting an immediate halt to the work.
“The work was performed by a qualified council-contracted arborist in response to a maintenance request. When our team were alerted to the mistake, the arborist was ordered to stop work immediately,” Mr. Zander said.
To address the incident, the council has engaged an independent expert to investigate and has appointed Resource Management Act Commissioner Bill Wasley to conduct a comprehensive review.
The oak tree remains standing, but its altered appearance has drawn strong reactions from locals who cherish it as a vital part of the community's landscape.
“We know the community is disappointed by what has happened to this significant tree,” Mr. Zander said.
The council has assured residents that Mr. Wasley’s investigation report will be completed early next year, with a summary of the findings to be made publicly available.
This incident has reignited conversations about the care and preservation of Tūrangi’s significant trees, with many residents calling for stronger safeguards to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
