For nearly two decades, Matt Henderson has been running New Leaf Tree Services, a small but highly experienced local business dedicated to the care and management of trees across Whāingaroa.
With a tight-knit team of four qualified arborists, Matt and his crew handle everything from tree felling and large dismantles to hedge trimming, pruning and stump grinding. The Local Rag caught up with Matt to hear about his business and life growing up in Raglan.
Tell us about your business and what you offer the Raglan community.
Hi my name is Matt Henderson. I run a small local business called New Leaf Tree Services which has been in operation for around 17 yrs.
We cover all aspects of tree work from tree felling and large dismantles, to hedge trimming, pruning and general tree maintenance. Views and sunlight are a common theme.
We have an awesome team of 4 arborists, and are well qualified and insured.
We have a truck and chipper to process trees into mulch for gardens or remove from site. We also do stump grinding.
How did you become an arborist? What was involved?
When I was 18 I moved to Sydney to live and work with my uncle who had his own Tree company.
He taught me how to use a chainsaw and helped put me through my qualifications in my early 20’s. Back then we didn’t call ourselves arborists, we were just tree workers or tree loppers.
When I was a bit younger I most enjoyed the adrenaline factor of tree work, big trees, big machines, hard work, cold beer.
What are the aspects of your work that you most enjoy?
As I get older I’m enjoying the Kaitiakitanga or guardianship aspect, making decisions and doing work which has a positive impact on the future of the local treescape. A lot of our actions will have an impact far beyond our lifetimes.
What are the more challenging things?
It’s a hard industry on gear and bodies; keeping everything working and not getting too banged up physically is always a challenge. Winters are always tough too, just maintaining morale through the cold and wet is a challenge.
What advice do you have for those with quite a few trees on their property?
Firstly, get rid of future problems, eliminate pest trees asap before they spread and get exponential on you.
The wrong tree in the wrong place has no great future.
Have a medium to long term plan; time passes and trees grow. Good decisions and timely maintenance can save headaches down the track.
What was growing up in Whaingaroa like and how does it feel to now bring your boys up here?
Growing up in Raglan pre-gentrification was great… and at times hard. There weren’t many job prospects but the surf was uncrowded and you could live cheaply.
Loved it, but couldn’t wait to get out.
My boys are a big part of why we returned; I still can’t think of a better place to grow up.
Whaingaroa provides me with a profound sense of belonging and I feel blessed and privileged to give my kids the same opportunity.
