Conservationists say a kauri tree in Auckland has become a symbol of the battle between the environment, and authorities.

Neighbours of a developer who tried to fell kauri trees on a Titirangi property to ready it for a subdivision have taken their objections all the way to Auckland's High Court.

Last year activist Michael Tavares and arborist Johno Smith climbed up and occupied one of the kauri for over two weeks to prevent developers cutting it down.

Mr Tavares said an attempt was made to ring-bark the tree by men dressed as security guards with chainsaws when they were still living in it and just hours before a High court ordered injunction was enacted to protect the trees until the completion of court proceedings.

He said it's all come down to these next two days.

“These trees in west Auckland have become a real symbol, a real rallying call for people dissatisfied with the way local governments and central governments are relating our society to the natural world.”

The developer’s neighbours believe Auckland Council didn’t properly consider the historical and ecological value of the native coastal trees.

The High Court has today heard allegations the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Act was not properly considered and the council was working with false data including the age of the forest.

There's even a claim that iwi were misled because they weren't given the correct information.

The court room was almost full with representatives from conservation groups including Greenpeace.

The High Court will spend the next two days deciding whether or not Auckland Council was right to grant resource consent.