Surrounded by trees

Yes and no.

Immigration to New Zealand from the "Home Countries" (Scotland, Wales, England and Ireland) took a dreadful toll on the forested areas of the country. Where trees could be felled and logged and removed, the great and ancient Kauri were taken with little regard to regrowth and protection of other plants, and therefore the fauna of the forest also suffered. Much of what was not readily milled, and was "in the way of" agriculture, was burned to give bare land. Some of the more remote areas remain in original or near original forest, and are now protected. 

The Auckland Hospital was begun on the same site as it still occupies, in Grafton. On a ridge high above the central city, and back from the harbour; both of which are readily seen from the hospital where I am based. It is immediately adjacent to the Auckland Domain, which is set on land that once was a volcano. Planting here has been a mix of exotic trees and natives (more recently). And it has been extensive, because the effects of the volcanic activity (far distant in the past that it is), and the impact of Maori habitation, meant that this was a site ripe for development into parkland and woodland. 

This photo is of the cladding on Carpark A at Auckand Hospital. A narrow road (along which people can exit the site) separates the car park from the Auckland Domain, and its trees. The design on the cladding reminds us that the history of this place is a history of trees, and birds. The trees are growing and the birds are returning. If I walk in the Domain now, I hear many Tui. I do not remember hearing any when I had lunch time walks when I first worked here many years ago.

I have included an extra taken this evening after the sun had set. Venus remains visible.