Media Release
7 March 2025
New trees for Victoria Square survey evaluated
Council has evaluated feedback from the recent survey gathering community feedback on
the replacement of 11 unsafe or noxious trees at Victoria Square in Westport. The survey
was open between 14 February and 3 March 2025.
People could vote for their top three favourite tree species from a selection of nine types,
including both fruit trees and native species, through an online and paper survey. Options
were feijoa, mandarin, pear, plum, rimu, kauri, kahikatea, mataī and pūriri.
The survey initially showed excellent community uptake, with 442 responses, but analysis of
the data after the survey closed showed that 227 of these responses were invalid.
Analysing the individual response data, the user ID and the response time record, showed
that the same user fil ed out the survey multiple times, giving the same or similar responses.
When an anonymous respondent submits a survey, a cookie in their browser establishes a
unique user ID, recorded in the survey data. Seeing multiples of the same user ID indicates
multiple submissions made by the same user. These invalid responses were removed prior
to evaluating the data.
Amongst the valid responses, rimu was chosen 105 times, matai was selected 90 times, and
kahikatea was selected 83 times. These tree species emerged as the top three favourite
trees.
The list of species included fruiting trees as an option, as many councils in New Zealand are
now planting fruit trees in public spaces for both food security and to provide learning
opportunities. Native trees were included, to echo the responses received in the recent
Reserve Management survey, where the planting of natives received broad support.
Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “We appreciate that some
people wanted to suggest other tree species; however we sought expert advice to identify a
list providing the most suitable selection of species.”
Victoria Square is dominated by exotic tree species, many of which are substantial in size.
The Tree Council of New Zealand recommends a mix of native and exotic trees. Also, exotic
tree species are often deciduous and, as they grow, shed more and more leaves, particularly
in winter. Russell, Brougham and Lyndhurst Streets’ stormwater sumps are frequently
clogged with leaves in winter. Therefore, exotic trees were not included as an option.
Mr Blom says: “It was great to see people getting behind the survey and being so passionate
about this green space in the heart of Westport. Analysing the genuine responses has given
us a good indication of which trees survey participants want to see at Victoria Square.”
Council staff wil now review the results and select the best mix and locations for the trees
that have emerged as the most popular.
Removal of the 11 unsafe or noxious trees is scheduled for March, depending on the
weather conditions and contractors’ availability. The removal process will take around three
days, during which parts of the square wil be closed to the public to allow the trees to be
felled safely.
Comparing valid, invalid and total responses
250
226
215
193
200
ted
ec
sel
156
ies
150
136
pec
113
119
110
110
99
105
f tree s
100
92
90
83
cy o
75
70
71
uen
64
67
56
58
50
52
Freq
50
41
42
19
20
0
Feijoa Mandarin
Pear
Plum
Rimu
Kauri
Kahikatea Mataī
Pūriri
Total responses
Valid responses
Invalid responses
-ENDS-
For further information, please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
[email address]
