Protester Johno Smith didn't enter a plea to wilful trespass after climbing a controversial west Auckland kauri, but says he takes "full accountability".
Smith made a brief appearance in the Waitakere District Court this morning, where he was given another court date later this month where "an appropriate plea" will be entered.
Outside court, Smith took responsibility for his action, but said he shouldn't have to have spent 13 days atop the Titirangi tree.
"I believe I shouldn't be here having to do this. There should be laws protecting our trees.
"This isn't just the kauri tree, it's about trees up and down our country which are getting cut down because of the watering down of legislation surrounding them," he said.
Smith occupied the canopy of a Paturoa Rd kauri tree in Titirangi after contractors were sent to fell it.
This was despite property developers John Lenihan and Jane Greensmith earlier promising not to cut the tree down.
Smith came down from his treetop camp on December 23 after a group of five security guards and men with chainsaws ring-barked the kauri and another three large trees on the proposed housing development site.
"It was a death squad sent to undertake as much damage as possible in a short space of time and it only proves the extent that some individuals will go to to get their way," says Smith.
Hours later, an order was stamped by the High Court ensuring full protection of the Kauri and other trees on the property while a judicial review of the resource consent takes place.
"A local community member had filed papers in the High Court days earlier and an agreement between both parties lawyers had been confirmed the night before," Smith says.
"Legislation protecting our native trees has been watered down and this just isn't right. Kauri trees are loved by New Zealanders and we only have about 1 percent of our original kauri forests left," he says.
Smith says he would protest in the same way again in a "heartbeat".
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