Kauri tree stoush catches Environment minister's eye

CHRIS SKELTON/Stuff.co.nz

Support continues to grow for Michael Tavares, the man who has spent over 55 hours up a Kauri tree to prevent it's felling.

Auckland mayor Len Brown says he is open to suggestions on how to save a kauri tree at the centre of a protest.

He has been in talks with property developer John Lenihan in a bid to strike a deal.

The kauri and a 300-year-old rimu were due to be felled on Monday after resource consent for their removal from a Titirangi section was granted by the Auckland City Council.

Brown said on Wednesday night that "other options regarding the kauri are being considered in association with the property owner to see whether there is another way forward".

That could potentially involve the tree being built into the property, he said.

Brown stressed that the resource consent had been granted legally, though he understood people's passion to save the tree.

He called for people to take a "deep breath" over the issue.

Lenihan did not respond to requests for comment.

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Kauri tree stoush catches Environment minister's eye