A dairy farm owner and sharemilker have been fined more than $20,000 in the Environment Court at Palmerston North for taking more water than allocated under their resource consent.
Porewa Holdings and Weitenburg Holdings and their directors pleaded guilty to four charges of illegally taking water from the Rangitikei River and failing to comply with an abatement notice.
Manawatu-Whanganui Regional Council says taking water illegally is theft.
Chief executive Michael McCartney says the conviction and fine send a clear message that those who deliberately breach their consents will be prosecuted.
