A Stuff reporter was sent an anonymous confession and $1500 cash following a report on poisoned pōhutukawa trees in Arkles Bay.

Stuff has been sent $1500 and a note confessing to the poisoning of three pōhutukawa trees at a north Auckland beach, after publishing a story on the sabotage.

The story was published on October 15 and, two weeks later, the reporter received an envelope containing a scrapbook with $1500 worth of $50 notes stapled to its pages. An anonymous note inside confessed a family member was responsible for poisoning the trees.

"When we read your sad newspaper [article], we knew who from our family [had poisoned the trees]. We found the tools in our shed [sic].

Caroline Williams On October 15, Rodney Times reported on the poisoned pōhutukawa trees in Arkles Bay. Two weeks later, a reporter received a note and reparations regarding the crime.

"I am sorry for the trees being hurt."

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The family had gathered money to put towards the trees' recovery.

Caroline Williams A Rodney Times reporter was sent $1500 and an anonymous confession note following a story about poisoned pōhutukawa trees in Arkles Bay.

"We are very sorry this has happened to the nice people of Arkles Bay.

"May God bless and help the trees.

"From our sorry and sad family."

Waitematā police Sergeant Steve Perry said police conducted a forensic analysis of scrapbook and cash, which failed to produce any leads.

After the police released the $1500 back to Stuff, it was decided to put the money towards Project Crimson's Trees That Count project, which funded tree planting.

Trees That Count community engagement officer Emma Giesen identified Rodney local group Pakiri Community Landscape Group to receive the funding, as they successfully applied for and planted 500 native trees in 2018. The funds will supply the group with around 150 native trees. "They're keen to continue with the planting."

Caroline Williams In mid-October, these Arkles Strand pōhutukawa trees were hacked at and poisoned.

Pakiri Community Landcare Group chairperson Frankie Hofland said the group was hoping to create a forest corridor along the coast, river and Pakiri Regional Park.

"We got all 500 trees in the ground in a very short time [earlier this year]. We are bouncing off that and are going to carry on this year and do some more which is what this lovely donation will go towards."

In regards to the Arkles Bay poisoned pōhutukawa trees, Hofland was horrified.

Caroline Williams Rodney Times staff described the package as "weird", donning gloves to take photos before handing the package over to the Whangaparāoa Police.

"We have such a threat at the moment from myrtle rust that we don't need intentional killing off of trees."

Due to the threat of myrtle rust on the pōhutukawa, the group would be planting species such as flax, mahoe, karamu and cabbage trees.

"I'd like to think we could put pōhutukawa in there, but not right now though. It's not really appropriate until we have more of a handle on myrtle rust," Hofland said.

Supplied/Frankie Hofland Pakiri Community Landcare Group will put the $1500 towards their native forest corridor along the coast, Pakiri Regional Park and Pakiri river.

Auckland Council's Agnes McCormack said the council had proceeded with a letter drop to residents of Arkles Strand, requesting information on the poisoned trees.

McCormack said it had yielded response, however the council was yet to identify the culprits.

McCormack said the two larger pōhutukawa trees had retained some limited live growth, but the smaller of the three trees was not expected to survive.

McCormack believed it was hard to place monetary value on the trees.

"Given the mature age of the specimens poisoned and how established they were, they are priceless and trees of the same magnitude cannot be purchased."

If caught, those responsible for the poisoning could face up to two years imprisonment or a maximum fine of $300,000 for individuals or $600,000 for a company.

Anyone with information on the poisoned trees in Arkles Bay are encouraged to contact police on (09) 426 4555.