April 1, 2022: An act of environmental terrorism has left the town of Wānaka and the world stunned.
‘That Wānaka Tree’, as it has been dubbed by millions on social media, is perhaps the most famous and photographed tree in the world. Or at least it was. The iconic tree was cut down and removed by an unknown assailant on the night of March 31st. The only good news is that the Wānaka tree is expected to live, although as a stumped version of its former self.
Although there were no witnesses to the crime, 1964 mountain culture / aotearoa and other publications received a letter from an ‘Ed Abbey’ taking credit for the horrendous act.
It appears ‘Ed’ killed the Wānaka Tree to protest over-tourism, social media and greed in New Zealand. The unedited letter is below.
Ed Abbey Letter
We need your help
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Like Kiidk’yaas in Canada, somebody had to do it.
What has our society become? Scantly clad influencers posing with this dumb tree have normalised taking pictures of ourselves, something only serial killers did twenty years ago. And now with this old fence post gone, I hope we will stop and take a good look at our ridiculous, narcissistic society.
I’m not ready to live in this world you’re proposing. A tragedy of the commons, pushed to the brink by a few greedy kleptocrats willing to destroy our country to sell a few trinkets to tourists. Jets flying a few hundred meters over my house, sure, why not, just as long as those greedy few can buy their second face lift, their third car and that trip to Bali. Fresh water? Who cares. Affordable housing? What, and have the colonists give up their tax free bach income?
Yes, I cut down that damn tree, and I’m not apologising for it.
Ed Abbey
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Kiidk’yass is better know as the Golden Spruce, which was cut down by Grant Hadwin in British Columbia by a troubled, unemployed forestry engineer, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
It is unclear if Ed is troubled (likely), unemployed or if any scantily clad influencers will seek retribution.
NATHAN WEATHINGTON
