Two lifestyle farmers in the Tararua District have been banned from owning or managing livestock for two years after being convicted of animal neglect.
Gavin Matthews and Wendy Francis Hayward of Pahiatua admitted a charge under the Animal Welfare Act, stemming from a complaint in 2012, about the poor condition of cows on a Pongaroa grazing block managed by the pair.
As well as the ban, they have been fined a total of $8,500.
An animal welfare officer investigating the complaint found lactating and pregnant cows in very poor condition with limited feed.
A vet said the property was "grossly overstocked" and there had been "severe and prolonged under feeding".
Officials from the Ministry for Primary Industries had visited the property previously because of similar complaints about stock neglect.
