23 Jul 2020

Te Anau farmer accused of burning down 800 hectares of native forest

From Morning Report, 7:29 am on 23 July 2020

A Te Anau farmer accused of burning down 800 hectares of native forest in two years, has been told by the Environment Court to stop.

Southland District Council says Peter Chartres caused irreversible damage to local flora and fauna when he cleared manuka on his property, despite multiple warnings it wasn't permitted.

Chartres denies he's done anything wrong.

Katie Todd reports.