PSA welcomes guilty plea over Hamilton Zoo death

Hamilton City Council has done the right thing in pleading guilty to a health and safety charge over the death of Hamilton Zoo curator, Samantha Kudeweh, the PSA says.

Ms Kudeweh was killed by the zoo’s Sumatran tiger Oz in September last year.

Worksafe New Zealand laid charges under the Health and Safety in Employment Act, claiming the Council had failed to take all practical steps to ensure Ms Kudeweh’s safety at work.

"In entering a guilty plea, the Council has avoided a long and difficult trial process," PSA National Secretary Glenn Barclay says.

"The decision has saved Ms Kudeweh’s family and colleagues from having to relive the tragic circumstances of her death.

"PwC are reviewing Hamilton Zoo’s operations and the PSA understands changes have been made since Ms Kudeweh’s death.

"We would like to extend our condolences to Ms Kudeweh’s family and to her colleagues at Hamilton Zoo and Hamilton City Council."

ENDS

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