Update – Following TRM’s blog dated 15 September on the sad fate of the unfortunate protected Oak tree, the Toe Paw Council reply is repeated below…

Council’s contractors originally mutilated the Red Oak on 15 November 2024, Toe Paw Council’s Co-Governance meeting was in March 2025, and now over ten months later they are still procrastinating, blaming the resource consent process. It took far less time to approve the destruction.

Aerial drone photo indicates the “before” appearance in January 2023… Compare the photo taken today from TRM below…

Hi Ross,

We will continue with the direction provided at the Co-Governance Committee meeting on 5 March 2025 which was to remove the tree subject to a resource consent.

I acknowledge there have been some delays in obtaining the resource consent which is unfortunate, but we need to make sure we do things right. We are continuing to work through this as a priority and will keep the Community informed. There are some comms about to go out to reassure the Community we have not forgotten about this matter and we hope to have it resolved soon.

Regards,

Warrick Zander <wzander@taupo.govt.nz>

(ps Remind SWMBO to trim the hedge)

The Mayor replied to another concerned neighbour on 18 September:

I acknowledge the delays and share your frustration. This matter is a priority and I want to reassure you that it has not been forgotten. Once the consent is approved, we will move quickly to remove the tree and begin discussions about a suitable replacement.

Thank you again for your continued advocacy.

Kind regards

David

David J Trewavas JP  Mayor

This priority has taken over ten months – so far… I wonder how long it might have taken if the Oak tree had been in Taupo’s best street?