Complaint to Auditor General Over Controversial Swamp Kauri Released

Today the Northland Environmental Protection Society and Far North branch of Forest and Bird release a complaint laid with the Auditor General on 28 May 2015 over the many discrepancies in the controversial export of swamp kauri from Northland wetlands.

“For several years now environmental groups and media have queried MPI and Customs NZ over discrepancies and blatant illegal export of ancient swamp kauri. Most have fallen on deaf ears. The complaint to the Auditor General catalogues the worst of the activity that MPI and Customs have responsibilities over”, says Fiona Furrell, Chairperson of the Northland Environmental Protection Society.

“We’ve been horrified over the damage to important wetlands and to find overseas websites advertising whole swamp kauri logs and rough sawn slabs, neither of which meet the definitions of finished products”, said Dean Baigent-Mercer, Far North Conservation Advocate for Forest and Bird.

The complaint to the Auditor General asks specifically for an investigation into the Ministry of Primary Industries and Customs NZ for not carrying out their roles as outlined under the Forests Act and other responsibilities.

The Forest Act sets out to protect both local jobs and the environment, which have been systematically undermined over recent years of swamp kauri mining across Northland.

Habitat of endangered birds, lizards and plants have been wiped out by swamp kauri mining, with the likely extinction of a native orchid species.
The report reads:

“Based on our experience and investigations we believe problems with the performance of MPI and Customs are wide ranging and systemic. Of particular concern are reports and evidence suggesting that MPI and Customs Officers are “turning a blind eye” to illegal activity and/or assisting private companies and individuals to exploit loopholes in the law.”

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