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It's not often a roadside berm is described as an oasis.
Mark Van Kaathoven has a green thumb.
For almost 30 years he's planted and cultivated a backyard garden that is now rated one of Auckland's five-star gardens by NZ Gardens Trust alongside the Auckland Botanic Gardens, Cornwall Park and the Wintergardens.
Then he moved onto the berm.
In Mark's street in Freemans Bay the public can enjoy a moment of tranquility under a high, lush canopy which is teeming with bird and insect life.
It's been the subject of recent controversy when AT threaten to give the berm a chop.
The berm however, protected his property during the floods, and has led to his work supervising the planting at Freemans Bay park and the discovery of a piece of local history. Mark speaks to Jesse.
Mark Van Kaathoven, pictured with the original pavers from the Bluestone Road Photo: Mark Van Kaathoven