Ruapehu District Council's Maori advisory body wants to explore how native trees can be used if they're chopped down - including some which are ideal for Maori carving.
The council plans to fell 43 heritage kahikatea and totara trees in Taumarunui and is seeking resource consent to do so.
Its Maori council chair, Edwin Ashford, said the fate of the trees would be discussed at its next hui on 20 June, and it was possible they could be used for carving.
Mr Ashford said it was important the trees were used appropriately and not tossed away like a bit of rubbish.
Ruapehu District Council chief executive Peter Till said the council was happy to give the carvers the trees, and what's left could be tendered out to help minimise the cost of removing them.
