The "Ghost Trees" of Castlecliff: A 25-Year Beautification Failure Seeks a Solution

After 25 years of failure, Castlecliff residents are urging the Whanganui Council to replace dying "ghost" trees with salt-resilient alternatives. Read the full story.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 4:08 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

A Legacy of Failure

The initiative began in the early 2000s as a community-led beautification project. Dozens of Griselinia (broadleaf) were planted in powder-coated steel cages designed to protect them during their early growth. However, local resident Jack Mitchell-Anyon, who recently brought the issue back to the Whanganui District Council, says the project has been a "lost opportunity" for nearly a quarter of a century.

"I just thought it was a long time to have the failure sit there," Mitchell-Anyon told RNZ. He described a landscape of empty cages or "gnarly" plants that have struggled through the iron bars but remain desperately unhappy in the harsh coastal environment.

Why the Griselinia Failed

Former Castlecliff Residents Committee secretary Lynne Douglas, who was involved in the original planting, admitted the outcome was heartbreaking. While Griselinia was chosen for its manageable size and ease of maintenance, a combination of factors led to the current state of decay:

Vandalism: The cages were used as rubbish bins and even toilets.