Consultation on the review of the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003

Recreation Aotearoa is the leading professional body supporting New Zealand’s recreation sector, advocating for quality experiences that keep people active, healthy, and connected. Its members include those dedicated to creating and managing parks and open spaces across the country.

Overview of general comments

Recreation Aotearoa recognises trees as a vital asset within New Zealand’s recreational spaces, offering shade, shelter, and essential health benefits like improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, and natural stress relief—particularly valuable in urban areas where green spaces are limited. Trees support New Zealand’s biodiversity, providing habitat for native wildlife and protecting waterways from erosion. Beyond their environmental and recreational value, trees hold cultural significance for Māori and are embedded in New Zealand’s identity. Despite this, urban green spaces have declined, with limited options for increasing tree cover on public land to offset private losses. While essential utilities like electricity lines must be maintained, careful management is needed to balance infrastructure needs with the preservation of green spaces.

Read our consultation:

For more detail, please read:

Consultation on the review of the Electricity (Hazards from Trees) Regulations 2003

Questions or feedback

If you have any questions, or want to share your views, contact our Advocacy Manager, Sam Newton by email: sam@nzrecreation.org.nz.