half cut down in Northland
Northland iwi and community members are upset a culturally significant pōhutakawa has been half cut down, saying the 200-year-old tree should’ve had more protection.
The pōhutukawa, on Ahipara’s Wharo Lane, was the site of Te Rarawa’s original marae, as well as a former court, Catholic Church and post office, said iwi representative Rueben Taipari.
“It’s one of the most scared areas for our history – more so than the marae – it goes back nearly to the waka,” he said.
Link to article and video: Lack of protection sees 'sacred' pōhutukawa tree half cut down in Northland | Stuff.co.nz
