5 January 2018
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Treefall fatality
Enquiry
In the wake of the tree coming down this afternoon we have heard from members of the public who have said the tree should have come down a long time ago.
- Had there previously been reports of concern about the tree?
- If so, what concerns had been raised?
- Is it correct that cables had already been used in an attempt to support the tree?
- Had these already broken before today?
SUBSEQUENT to above enquiry, the reporter offered a right of reply to the following from a member of the public:
"Quite a few months ago we noticed the bracing on the tree was looking very worn and needed to be replaced, and also that the tree was looking very top-heavy.
My husband's an arborist... and knew that it needed to have some work done on it pretty urgently.
A couple of months later, they did get in a contractor who did replace the bracing and took a couple of smaller branches off too.
My husband said the bracing was far too loose. It wasn't tight enough and it was probably too late for that anyway because it had weakened the union of the tree. He just said it wasn't done satisfactorily enough, really.
There were three limbs. We're talking about pieces that would probably be anywhere between 40 and 50 tonne - just one limb.
He thought quite a substantial amount of the tree needed to come down.
We'd drive past and he kept saying 'they need to do something about that tree' and I'd say 'look, you've already told them, it's not our concern'. Well, you know, it's kind of become everyone's concern now.
Absolute tragedy. When you know it's something that was preventable, it makes you really angry and sad at the same time."
Response
STATEMENT
5 January 2018
Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick has extended her condolences on behalf of council and the community to the family of a woman who died during today's storm.
This is an absolute tragedy and our hearts and thoughts are with the family at this terrible time.
Right now the focus needs to be supporting the family and wider community who have been affected by this tragedy, and council will do whatever it can to assist, the mayor says.
It is too early to speculate on the circumstances of this tragic accident but I can assure you council will cooperate fully with any investigation undertaken by the relevant authorities.
This weather event has had an impact across much of the country and unfortunately it has left one Rotorua family dealing with a tragic loss - we can only support them at this time, Mayor Chadwick says.
Rotorua Lakes Council Acting Chief Executive Craig Tiriana says checking the oak was part of a notable trees inspections programme. A February 2017 report recommended annual inspections and found no major issues with the tree, which was more than 150 years old.
Following concerns from a local tree specialist in recent months about bracing in the tree, another inspection was done by Council's regular contractor. In late September/early October bracing was replaced and some branch reduction was also undertaken, Mr Tiriana says.
SUBSEQUENT in response to offer of right of reply:
From council acting chief executive Craig Tiriana:
This was a tragic accident and there will need to be a thorough investigation carried out by the appropriate authorities.
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Media: Radio New Zealand
Topic: Treefall fatality
Enquiry
Several people have claimed they have spoken to the council in the past about the tree posing a danger. Is this true? How many complaints did the council receive?
Among the claims is that a tree specialist warned the tree was unsafe about two months ago. Is this true, and if so, what action was taken?
How has the council responded to the complaints?
Later spoke to mayor. Put it to her that council had not dome proper remedial work on the tree, that a complaint to that effect was lodged and asked f she was confident council did all the right remedia work
Mayor said now was not the time to be speculating or commenting on that, saying that today we are dealing with the tragic loss of a woman
Response
Reporter received statement which was sent to Daily Post
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Media: Te Kaea (Maori Television)
Topic: Treefall fatality
Enquiry
Reporter sought response to the following:
Tom Rika, who runs his company The Specialist has told us he raised concerns regarding the giant oak tree on Arawa street with council just two months ago saying it needed to be dealt with urgently.
Response
Reporter received statement which was sent to Daily Post
