Notable/Protected Trees 

Currently protected trees need to be considered under both the Operative District Plan and the Proposed City Plan. This is because the Proposed City Plan protected tree rules are under appeal.

The District and City Plans make provision for the protection of trees which are identified as having ‘notable’ or ‘heritage’ values. The trees are recognised as contributing to the amenity of the surrounding area or the wider City Landscape character, or may be of historic or cultural significance. Most activities in relation to removal, modification to, or works beneath the drip line, of a protected tree will require resource consent approval. Any work on a protected tree will need to be completed by a qualified arborist

District Plan

To check whether a tree is protected (meaning it's on the Register of Notable and Landscape Trees) you need to search the register below: 

 Appendix 16B Register of Notable and Landscape Trees 

City Plan

To check whether a tree is proposed to be protected under the Proposed Tauranga City Plan please search the register below: 

Appendix 6E: Notable Trees Register 

Appendix 7C: Register of Heritage Tree
 
As noted above, if a tree appears in the Register under the District Plan, it is still a protected tree and resource consent requirements if triggered, apply.

Fees and Information Requirements for Resource Consent

Resource Consent applications to remove or modify a protected tree on private property require a resource consent. Where resource consent application is made under the Tauranga District or City Plan and relates solely to the removal or modification (including major pruning) of a notable or landscape tree, Council may pay all or part of the costs of the lodgement fee for application. Any cost incurred beyond that will be borne by the applicant. The applicant will need to:

• Supply a letter giving reasons why the application fee should waived (waiving of fees is at the discretion of the Group Manager, Customer and Environmental Services) 
• Provide an Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) in accordance with the Fourth Schedule of the Resource Management Act  and assessment against the District and City Plans.
• Supply a report by a qualified Arborist to support the application (refer to Yellow Pages) 
• Pay for the cost for pruning or removal  

If you have a protected tree on your property or are considering purchasing a property with a protected tree and would like further information, please contact Tauranga City Council's Call Centre on 07 577 7000.

Street Trees

Trees which are located on the berm in the road reserve or on Council owned or administered land are Council assets. These trees are covered by the Vegetation and Tree Management Policy.

You should contact Council’s Arborist to discuss issues relating to Council trees.

Private Trees

Trees on private property (other than Protected Trees – see above) are not controlled by Council. This includes leaf drop and encroaching roots. The New Zealand Law Society produces a pamphlet entitled ‘Over the fence… are your neighbours’ which discusses the legal issues surrounding trees. For further information, please see their website:
www.lawsociety.org.nz 
 

Which is the oldest tree in Tauranga?

It is believed to be the Titoki at Otumoetai Pa and the Pohutukawa at Pitau Road Reserve, both are of a similar age- approx 300 years old.

Which is the tallest tree in Tauranga? 

This has not been identified; however Yatton Park has some trees that were planted during 1865 – 1877 by Mr John Alfred Chadwick.

Chadwick made the initial purchase of 400 acres shortly after the battle of Gate Pa. On one section, he built his house and planted a number of exotic trees - 16 of which are now the largest of their kind in the North Island.

For example:
Norfolk Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) 51 m
Queensland Kauri (Agathis robusta) 34 m 

More information on Yatton Park.

Some other areas that have historic trees are:

Maungawhare

Maungawhare has 4 large Norfolk pines planted between 1884 and 1890; the northernmost of these was once the tallest in the Bay of Plenty until it was struck by lightning in 1978

The Maungawhare parkland area bounds the homestead, which remains private. Public entry is to the parkland only and is accessed from Parkvale Road, Otumoetai. 

The Elms

The Elms, Tauranga's historic former Mission Station was founded in 1835.
Reverend Brown purchased 17 acres of the original CMS Station in 1873 as a family home, naming it The Elms, after the over 50 elm trees growing on the site at the time.

Brown was known for his interest in gardening: he planted the oak tree, the Norfolk pines which are the most visible markers of the mission station, as well as ornamentals such as roses. 

More information on the Elms.

Reference:

For more information on trees try “Great Trees of New Zealand” – by S.W. Burstall 1984

(Tauranga Library has a copy)