A West Coast sawmiller has been slapped with a hefty fine, after an extensive inquiry by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Michael Hende was found to have exceeded his harvesting permits by 113 trees.
He has been handed a $130,000 fine in Greymouth District Court.
MAF spokesman, Geoff Allan, says it was the largest recorded over-harvest of indigenous timber in New Zealand in 20 years.
“I think the fine that was handed down is a pretty good representation of the seriousness of the offending of this individual and his company,” he says.
Mr Allan hopes the fine will send a clear message that MAF takes over-harvesting very seriously.
RadioLIVE