Heritage NZ to prosecute quarrying firm

Heritage NZ has launched a prosecution against a Waikato quarrying firm over a historic pā site.

revealed in January howthe J Swap Contracting conglomerate continued blasting activities at its Waotu quarry near Tokoroa after part of the adjacent Pirauiti pā collapsed last July. This was despite pleas from iwi and stop-work notices from South Waikato District Council and Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga. J Swap denied its blasting caused the collapse, claiming the slip occurred in bad weather. Just before Christmas, the council served an abatement notice ordering the company to stop blasting until it could satisfy council the vibrations would not cause further damage. J Swap appealed to the Environment Court, meaning an automatic stay of the notice, enabling operations to continue. The company agreed to stop blasting directly beneath the slip. Heritage NZ said there would be a court hearing in Tokoroa on Tuesday.

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