A Northland farm owner has been fined more than $50,000 after effluent from two feed pads entered neighbouring waterways.
Peter Thomas Flood had admitted three charges over the discharge from a Ruawai farm in 2009 which were brought by the Northland Regional Council.
Judge Gordon Whiting, in sentencing Flood last month, said as the farm's owner he was responsible for its infrastructure after effluent flowed into tributaries feeding into the Kaumangatia River.
The judge said in imposing fines of $53,000 that it should act as a warning to other farmers in the region.
"That such a signal is necessary is reflected in the poor non-compliance statistics of dairy farms in the Northland region," he said.
Council operations director Tony Phipps said the punishment sent a very clear message to Northland's dairy farmers that effluent needed to be treated and managed properly.
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