A keen gardener is being blamed for the theft of several Nikau Palm trees from a Wellington nature reserve.

Photo: Supplied: FACEBOOK / TEMOTUKAIRANGI

Community group Te Motu Kairangi Ecological Restoration has been planting trees in the Centennial Reserve to improve the local environment.

But founder Joakim Liman said he was shocked to discover four Nikau Palms, which had been planted by volunteers in recent years, had been dug up and removed.

Even if those responsible didn't know the trees had been planted by volunteers, they shouldn't be removing them from a nature reserve, he said.

"Maybe next time people go for a walk in the bush... they just appreciate things where they are growing.

"If they actually want a native palm, maybe they should try to look up if it's possible to get them from a nearby nursery."

Mr Liman said he would be passing on details of the incident to the police.