A dairy farm and an earthworks company have been fined more than $50,000 between them for digging in a Waikato stream.
A digger. (file photo) Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
Waikato Regional Council brought the charges against Okawa Limited and contractors Greener Earthmoving Limited after a site inspection last June.
They did earthworks over a kilometre-long stretch of the Mangakaeo stream near Ōtorohanga, and caused significant environmental damage.
The council said the work was carried out under the pretence of cleaning farm drains.
Investigations manager Patrick Lynch said there were very clear restrictions around the fresh water stream and both parties should have known better.
