Alcohol ban may fell popular hangout

BY INDIA LOPEZ

A suggested law change may mean the end of a deeply-rooted Wellington institution.

As part of a proposed city-wide liquor ban, the police will be cracking down on drinking around a notorious tree in the Botanic Gardens, known to revellers as the "trippy tree".

For years, hordes of young people have congregated at the trippy tree at all hours – and in varying degrees of sobriety.

Senior Sergeant Anita Dixon said the tree would be dealt with in the same way as other youth hangouts like Waitangi Park and the Mt Victoria lookout, where drinking is already prohibited.

"We constantly prioritise our jobs," she said. "But those areas have traditionally been hot-spot areas, so when we do have down-time we will patrol them."

The increased police presence would be the latest in a series of efforts to discourage young people from socialising in and around the tree.

At one time, the foliage formed a springy platform on which dozens of people could comfortably recline and crack open a beer under the stars.

Partygoer Darren Coker, 21, said the tree was a regular haunt.

"It became like our monthly ritual – come to the trippy tree, hang out, chill out, look at the good views," he said.

Three years ago, the council attempted to deter adventurous climbers by cutting out the middle of the bushy macrocarpa.

Botanic Gardens manager David Sole said the tree was pruned for several reasons, the most important being the safety of the public.

The council had also received noise complaints and experienced problems with litter and broken glass.

But the preventative measures have not been entirely successful.

"It's reduced it; it hasn't stopped it," Mr Sole said.

The Visitor Information Centre at the gardens receives numerous inquiries about the tree, but won't reveal its location, fearing excessive climbing would damage branches.

- The Wellingtonian