UPDATED 8.32PM: The owner of the West Auckland property occupied by protesters trying to stop the felling of a kauri tree has received death threats.

John Lenihan says e-mail threats against him and his family have been passed to police.

The architect says he's mortified by the reaction from the media and community to his plans to clear the Titirangi site so two houses can be built.

Mr Lenihan told NZME. that he regrets that the kauri has to go, but the alternative is to destroy more native forest below.

No govt. intervention

There'll be no intervention from the Government as efforts to save a kauri tree slated for felling in Titirangi continue.

Environment Minister Nick Smith discussed the situation with Auckland Mayor Len Brown yesterday.

And he's making it clear the Government won't be stepping in to save the tree.

Dr Smith says the law is clear, it's a council decision and the Government won't be intervening.

Little: MP definitely not going up tree

Andrew Little is making it brutally clear he expects David Cunliffe to keep his feet firmly on the ground when it comes to the fight over an Auckland Kauri tree.

Mr Cunliffe has offered to climb up to the top of the tree to join the protester stationed there, fighting the felling of the 500-year-old Kauri.

But Labour leader Andrew Little is less than impressed, and is pulling no punches

"Well I thought he was going out on a bit of a limb. I don't think he's going up now, but he's going to meet the various effected parties and maybe he can play a bit of a brokering role, but I don't want him to do it from the top of tree."

Michael Tavares climbed the tree under threat in Titirangi on Monday, in a bid to protect it from being felled for a housing development.

"For the sake of the tree and for the values of it I think that it's best if as few hands and feet touch it as possible."

"I personally wish I didn't have to be up here."

Tavares says a meeting's been held between concerned parties and he hopes a resolution will be reached this morning.

"What I'm hoping that happens is the council does find a way, even though it says it can't, it does find a way to revoke the consent to fell the tree, and that it's open to a proper consultation."

Spokesperson Aprilanne Bonar says she's overwhelmed by the diversity of people in support of their cause.

But she says there are some people they'd specifically like to visit them.

"We are apolitical and we are welcoming everybody."

"We'd really love Len Brown, Penny Hulse, we need their guidance them to be here to support us as well."

It is not Michael Tavares's first time in a tree due to be felled.

Tavares has told NZME. he's a veteran of wilderness conservation protests in Tasmania where he learned his tree climbing skills.

And if you're wondering how he answers the call of nature while trying to protest it, he says it's all very secure and hygienic.

Cunliffe concerned

David Cunliffe believes a resolution can be reached over the stand off surrounding the kauri tree earmarked for felling.

The Labour MP met with Auckland deputy mayor, Penny Hulse, and visited the site of the tree this evening.

Mr Cunliffe says there's room for both the tree and the housing development.

He says it's possible to move the development down the hill a bit to save the trees.

David Cunliffe says there were serious deficiencies in the council's processes over the consenting, which he says it will learn from.