Protesters in New Zealand Prevent Removal of 100-Year-old Trees

Environmental activists who aim to combat illegal logging, walk
past recently raided illegally logged trees in what use to be a forest
in Chaung Gwet. Photo: AP
Environmental activists who aim to combat illegal logging, walk past recently raided illegally logged trees in what use to be a forest in Chaung Gwet. Photo: AP
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Protesters in New Zealand Prevent Removal of 100-Year-old Trees

Environmental activists who aim to combat illegal logging, walk
past recently raided illegally logged trees in what use to be a forest
in Chaung Gwet. Photo: AP
Environmental activists who aim to combat illegal logging, walk past recently raided illegally logged trees in what use to be a forest in Chaung Gwet. Photo: AP

Protesters in New Zealand have gathered to stop the removal of native 100-year-old trees, with one man tying himself to a digger.

The tree removal in Auckland started in July, and for more than 70 days, Save Canal Road Native Trees group have occupied the area in an attempt to save the remaining trees.

The group has called the local authorities to provide an urgent protection for the 100-year-old trees.

According to protester Steve Abel, more than 200 locals and supporters have gathered early on Wednesday at the site to prevent contractors from removing the trees.

Abel said 10 climbers sat on trees, while other people hung themselves on felled trees or two half-ton barrels. He added that the contractors canceled the work scheduled on Wednesday, but some supporters stayed at the site fear of their return.



Large Sinkhole Appears in English Village, Forces Evacuations 

18 February 2025, United Kingdom, Godstone: A view of the scene in Godstone after a sinkhole appeared on Monday night. (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire/dpa)
18 February 2025, United Kingdom, Godstone: A view of the scene in Godstone after a sinkhole appeared on Monday night. (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire/dpa)
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Large Sinkhole Appears in English Village, Forces Evacuations 

18 February 2025, United Kingdom, Godstone: A view of the scene in Godstone after a sinkhole appeared on Monday night. (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire/dpa)
18 February 2025, United Kingdom, Godstone: A view of the scene in Godstone after a sinkhole appeared on Monday night. (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire/dpa)

A large sinkhole has appeared in a southern English village, swallowing up at least one garden and forcing authorities to evacuate residents from around 30 homes.

The development of the sinkhole in the Surrey village of Godstone, which appeared on Monday and had grown to at least 20 meters on Tuesday, has been declared a major incident by local agencies.

The BBC said the evacuated properties were built about three years ago, on the site of a former sand quarry. One of the residents, Noosh Miri, said her family was among those evacuated.

"We got a violent knocking on the door," Miri said. "As I opened the door, it sounded like I was in a waterfall because the sinkhole was right in front of my doorstep."

Another resident, Rez Mira, told the BBC his garden fell into the sinkhole: "It's collapsed, the wall will come down, for sure... we're terrified."

Surrey County Council (SCC) said investigations were ongoing, and asked people to avoid the area while work was carried out. Residents from within the cordon were being supported with advice around accommodation, the council said.

"The Local Resilience Forum will continue to meet throughout this incident to ensure everything is being done to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible," said SCC's Carl Bussey.

SES Water said in the early hours of Tuesday it was aware of a burst water main pipe in Godstone High Street. It said on Wednesday it had been able to restore supplies to affected properties. Electricity has also been restored.