A Kinmont Park man is upset the privacy he enjoyed at his home until this week has been stripped away with the removal of trees beside State Highway 1.
Frank Smith is angry a letter residents received last month from the agency said "this is what we're going to do'', rather than offering any consultation.
He is also disappointed a letter he wrote back with an alternative proposal and the reasons behind it did not receive the courtesy of a reply.
He heard nothing until the work began on Monday.
The NZTA said it was removing the trees in part because they cast shade that caused ice on the road, and shed leaves and branches, creating hazards for drivers.
Mr Smith said he thought those arguments were baseless.
"My question to them was are you going to remove trees from the side of every road in New Zealand?''
Mr Smith said he bought the home three months ago, and decided, despite its proximity to the highway, the trees in between meant it was private.
Sitting on the deck yesterday, he got "two waves and a toot'' from strangers who could now see into his property.
"That's the sort of attention we're going to get.
"It's totally destroyed the privacy. It really has.''
The letter from the NZTA to residents said there was concern from residents about a blocked drain by the trees, and their removal would improve drainage.
In response to Otago Daily Times queries, southern business unit manager Ian Duncan said about a dozen residents had complained about flooding of their properties after the drain became clogged with garden clippings.
Another had complained of sunlight being blocked by the trees, and one had said they would demand costs from the NZTA if one of the trees fell on their property.
Replacement low-growing native trees the agency would plant would be safer for drivers if they broke.
On Mr Smith's privacy concerns, Mr Duncan said residents were welcome to plant trees and shrubs on their own land to create more privacy.
"These trees are in the road reserve corridor on public land and public safety and ways to minimise the seriousness of car crashes is a priority for the transport agency.''
Because the trees were on highway reserve land, the NZTA was required to inform those affected rather than consult.
"My apologies to Mr Smith, as his letter received early in June was not responded to as promptly as we would like.
"A written reply is on its way.''
Mr Smith described the response as "just a lot of political rubbish''.
On the issue with flooding, he said the drain did not appear to have been serviced "for years and years and years''.
