CUT DOWN: A nikau palm which was felled by vandals.

Vandals have hacked down 100-year-old nikau palms in a protected forest on the Kapiti Coast.

Kapiti Coast District Council resource consents and compliance manager Andrew Guerin said it appeared 10 trees were hacked down with an axe or machete on November 25.

The protected kohekohe-tawa forest, in Aston Rd, between Paraparaumu and Waikanae, is protected by a Department of Conservation covenant and the Resource Management Act.

Because the trees are protected, the vandalism is a criminal offence.

"This is a senseless act and it is hard to believe anyone would actually destroy these lovely old trees for no reason whatsoever," Mr Guerin said.

Anyone with information or who noticed suspicious behaviour in the area is asked to contact the council's RMA compliance manager Paul Busing on 04 2964745.