Our National Arboretum has lost some endangered species and, reliant on visitor fees and donations, is struggling financially in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle.
A botanical phenomenon, Eastwood Hill's mission as an arboreal arc is to help preserve forestry diversity.
The arboretum at Ngatapa outside Gisborne nurtures more than fifteen thousand rare and threatened trees from all over the world.
But the cyclone tore through the haven, felling trees and ripping them apart, including endangered American Elm, Magnolia and one hundred-year old oaks.
Takings at the gates have dwindeled as tourism dries up and cancellations swell, and financial straits are beckoning.
Kathryn is joined by Eastwood Hill Arboretum horticulturalist Anthea Dalton and board chair Jane Williams.
