3 July 2015

Charges laid for taking protected wildlife

The Department of Conservation today laid charges in the Invercargill District Court against a 61-year-old Northland man for the alleged hunting and possession of a protected species under the Wildlife Act.

Raniera Teitinga (Sonny) Tau has been summoned to appear in the Invercargill District Court on Friday 24 July 2015.

Two charges have been laid in respect to the killing and possession of protected wildlife, namely New Zealand pigeon/kererū/kūkupa.

Mr Tau was found with kererū in his possession at Invercargill Airport on 16 June 2015.

Kererū are a fully protected species and cannot be taken or held without authorisation under the Wildlife Act.

Maximum penalties for the unlawful killing or taking of protected species are a fine of $100,000 and/or imprisonment of two years.

DOC will be making no further comment in relation to these charges as this matter is now before the court.

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