Information sheet template
Here is the information sheet that the Honour The Maunga team uses to guide discussions with passers-by at the maunga. As you will see, the wording is pertinent to the situation at Ōwairaka / Mt Albert, so please customise it to reflect what is happening at the maunga your group is protecting.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please do NOT call your group Honour The Maunga. It is, however, okay to use the word ‘Honour’ in your group’s name, should you wish to do so. For example: Honour Mt Richmond / Ōtāhuhu.
Honour The Maunga
Add your group’s website [You are welcome to point people to “your” maunga’s sub-page on www.honourthemaunga.org.nz]
Who we are and what we stand for
We are a community group of volunteers who has occupied Ōwairaka / Mt Albert around the clock since 11 November 2019.
Our mission is to honour Ōwairaka / Mt Albert and all the life-forms she supports by preventing Tūpuna Maunga Authority from felling 345 healthy, mature exotic trees.
We accept Tūpuna Maunga Authority’s long-term vision to cloak the maunga in native plants. However, we are against the environmentally destructive nature of their proposed process. The Authority had originally planned to remove all 345 trees in a five-week period…during bird nesting season!
Like Māori – and Tūpuna Maunga Authority – we believe: If the maunga are well, Auckland is well” (Maunga tū mauri ora, maunga tu Makaurau ora). While we do NOT claim ownership of the maunga, we do acknowledge our own deeply held spiritual connections with Ōwairaka / Mt Albert. Our being here is conducted with the utmost respect and love for the Māori people and culture.
Why this matters
Auckland has already lost more than 30% of its urban trees since Resource Management Act changes in 2012. It is a climate emergency, so trees are needed more than ever before yet Tūpuna Maunga Authority plans to fell at least 2000 trees off all 14 Auckland maunga under its control.
The proposed native vegetation comprise mostly small plants that will only sequester a fraction of carbon compared to the condemned trees. Experts agree the best results will be achieved through succession planting over many decades.
Removing so many trees in a short time-frame will affect the maunga, its lifeforms and the surrounding environment for many years to come.
Tūpuna Maunga Authority has never consulted anybody (Māori or non-Māori) about its plans to fell all exotic trees from Auckland maunga. What’s more, it has refused to hold a public meeting to answer people’s questions. Auckland Council (who funds the Authority) has also failed its obligations to the people of Auckland.
What we are asking for
There needs to be an environmentally sound approach to native revegetation. We will remain on the maunga until we receive a written binding agreement for no healthy, mature trees tree to be felled here. Standing strong here also will help to prevent this happening to trees on other maunga.
Honour The Maunga is also calling on Tūpuna Maunga Authority to be more transparent given its significant power and ratepayer-funded budget.
How you can help
Keep being our roster because our success depends upon having 24 x 7 cover
Sign our tree protection petition
Donate (cash or via Givealittle)
Join the Honour The Maunga Facebook group
Spread the word amongst your own friends and communities
Publicly voice your concerns (e.g. to your MPs, Auckland councillors, letters to the editor, etc.)