Meeting Urban Ngahere targets

Building the forest canopy in a central urban area is a bit like running the bath with the plug out. It takes constant attention to replace those removed for development or that have died. Happily, nature does a fair bit of its own regeneration and there are ways we can support. Lots of seedlings are being planted by community groups and ecological contract staff across the region. In addition 93 specimen trees across 18 parks and streets in Waitematā are being planted over May and June.

We are considering adding berm planting in the next year's work programme. Experts would trial a few approaches to berm planting with understorey as well as trees. There would be three main types - edibles, natives, ornamental. They would then provide technical guidance to the community wanting to have a go where practicable.

Finally, we can encourage people to retain and maintain trees on private property through planning rules and practical support. In Singapore, regulation, planning, technical guidance, and community participation have shifted the dial with regard the plantings on structures and in the road corridors.

I have just found out that in Orakei you can apply for a tree maintenance grant if you have a scheduled tree (or one that fits the criteria for scheduling). It is too late for us to introduce that next financial year but it would be great to explore this, and other means to incentivise the retention of trees and ensure nature is woven through our urban form into the future.