New Zealand / Regional

Kauri protester pleads guilty to trespass

11:55 am on 1 May 2015

A protester who spent three days up a kauri tree in west Auckland that was set to be axed has admitted trespassing the property.

Michael Tavares climbed about 25 metres up this kauri tree during his protest in Titirangi in early March. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

Michael Tavares appeared in the Waitakere District Court this morning, where he pleaded guilty to the charge.

He climbed down the tree at the property in Titirangi once assurance was given by the developers that it would not be chopped down.

Michael Tavares posted this photo on Twitter, captioned "second appearance in Waitakere District Court". Photo: Twitter / Michael Tavares

In front of about 50 supporters in early March, Tavares climbed to a point about 25 metres up the kauri - saying he would not come down until the tree was safe.

He spent three days stationed in the tree before handing himself in to police.

The kauri, and a rimu next to it, had been scheduled for removal to make way for two new homes.