She thought it would be easy, to put in a parking bay for two cars to gain access to her regenerating bush block. Not so. A veteran pohutukawa guarded the easiest point of entry. Then she had to apply to the Council for resource consent.

The first level of this book describes Juliet Batten's battle against bureaucracy. The second describes a deepening connection to the pohutukawa. The tree became a gateway to all of nature: other trees, plants, birds, insects, and flowers. The writing is evocative and inspiring.

The third level dives into memories of environmental activism, when Juliet Batten led the 'Grieving Grandmothers' into action to save a 400-year-old puriri tree from a motorway development. This level also braids in themes of passing on a legacy, spiritual resourcefulness, indigenous awareness, and the value of eldership.

The result is a rich and compelling tale, a story of resourcefulness and commitment to what matters in an increasingly threatened world. Expect to be surprised at where it takes you.