Plans to restore Motueka’s historic 1887 wharf have taken another step forward, with the Motueka Community Board voting to remove seven pōhutukawa trees growing on the structure.
The historic wharf on Motueka Quay, near the Janie Seddon, has been identified as increasingly degraded, with large structural boulders tumbling into the sea at its far end.
The pōhutukawa trees are believed to have been planted on the structure by a member of the public up to 30 years ago, and their removal has become a controversial issue in the community.
Earlier consultation on the wharf project found 73% of 470 respondents supported removing the trees as part of the restoration. However, in recent weeks an online petition titled ‘Stop the Pōhutukawa trees being removed from the Old Motueka Wharf’ has attracted about 520 signatures.
The petition, created by a member of the Motueka community, states that “with proper planning, we can preserve both the historic structure of the wharf and the natural environment these trees provide. Modern engineering offers solutions to integrate the pōhutukawa into the restoration work rather than seeing them as obstacles.”
Meanwhile, the project’s arboricultural report, compiled by Treescape in April 2024, says “over time, the trees’ potential size and root systems will naturally grow into trees of considerable size … and will bear an influence on both the wall structure and the ability to access the wharf itself”.
In the report, arborist Paul Wynen describes the planting of the trees as “commendable”, but says that because of their potential size at maturity and their position along the wall edge, “I believe [they] will have the potential to cause issues over time to the wall itself and the ability to access this area”.
He recommends removing the trees and replacing them with suitable species further back from the wharf.
The issue was discussed at the Motueka Community Board meeting on Tuesday, 18 August. Under Tasman District Council’s Governance Delegations Register, the board has the authority to grant consent for the removal of trees from parks, reserves, streets and other council land within its community.
Councillors and elected members acknowledged the petition during the discussion, but noted it had not been formally tabled or presented to them.
Councillor Kerryn Ferneyhough says she is aware of both the petition and comments circulating on social media.
“I would also just like to raise that there was already public consultation on this project, and out of 470 responses… 73 percent were supportive of the tree removal, understanding that that tree removal has to happen in order for the restoration of the wharf to happen.”
She says the report also notes that if the trees remain, they will eventually block access to the wharf.
“While I'm not one who would generally approve of removing trees, for this particular project it is what has to happen.”
Deputy chair Laura Lusk also spoke about plans to replace the trees on a one-for-one basis in a more suitable location.
