A Waikato dairy farm owner and contract milker have been found guilty of unlawfully discharging dairy shed effluent and stock feed leachate into the environment.
Milker Yubraj Subedi was fined $49,000 for his contribution, while owner Sunrise Dam Limited was fined $17,500.
Huntly District Court Judge Melinda Dickey released two decisions in April and May, confirming the sentences.
Two inspections in 2024 conducted by Waikato Regional Council found significant dairy effluent had been released from a storm water diversion and leachate discharge from a stock feed bunker into a nearby drain.
Council officers found during a second inspection that the leachate draining had continued and had the potential to reach the Waikato River.
Regional compliance manager Patrick Lynch said the case “highlights the importance of clear responsibility for environmental compliance on dairy farms, particularly where farm operations are delegated to others".
“While the court has recognised that Sunrise Dam Limited had finally upgraded infrastructure since the council intervened, the convictions and fine reinforce that both farm owners and those managing day-to day operations must ensure that systems are fit for purpose and appropriate management procedures are in place at all times to prevent harm to the environment.”
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