Pōhutukawa trees on Coromandel beach 'drilled and poisoned'
Authorities are investigating the illegal poisoning of native pōhutukawa trees on a popular beach in the Coromandel, New Zealand. The trees are vital for coastal stability and local ecosystems.
Why it matters
The destruction of protected native vegetation carries significant legal penalties and threatens local biodiversity and coastal erosion prevention.
An investigation is underway after two pōhutukawa trees alongside a popular beach in the Coromandel were "illegally poisoned", the Department of Conservation says. The coastal trees, located on the Hahei Beach Marginal Strip, were found with "clear evidence of drill and fill holes around the base", DOC said today. DOC said Aotearoa's unofficial Christmas tree was more than a hallmark of our summer landscape, adding that they also served as "important coastal ecosystems in their own right". "Their flowers provide nectar for tūī, bellbirds and geckos, while their trunks, bark and canopy offer habitat for birds, insects and spiders.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in