The Department of Conservation has been prosecuted over the death of a Romanian volunteer working on Raoul Island.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Labour group has charged DoC with failing to ensure the safety of Mihai Muncus-Nagy.
Mr Muncus-Nagy, 33, is thought to have been swept off rocks while taking sea temperature readings in January this year.
Despite an extensive search, his body has not been found and DoC said his disappearance was a freak accident.
The department was remanded without plea in the Whangarei District Court on Monday and will reappear on 9 September.
