Firms pay out over archaeological breach
Two companies who mistakenly destroyed an archaeological site in Redcliffs have been convicted and discharged because of donations, and the processes they have put in place so no further breaches will occur.
In the Christchurch District Court, Mike Greer Homes Canterbury Ltd and Arrow International NZ Ltd had adnitted breaching the Historic Places Act in 2013.
Andrew Riches, defence counsel for Mike Greer Homes, said they had donated $10,000 to Heritage NZ (formerly the Historic Places Trust), and $12,500 to the University of Otago to fund a scholarship.
Chris Fowler, representing Arrow International NZ Ltd, said Arrow took the matter seriously and was remorseful for its offending. It knew it was not possible to remedy the damage but was helping to mitigate any further damage, and was trying to raise awareness of archaeological sites nationally.
Tom Gilbert from Heritage NZ said they were delighted by the response from the two companies, and agreed to the conviction and discharges. He said the matter was enhanced as a result of their initiatives.
Judge Jane Farish said she wanted the media to see the extraordinary lengths both defendants had gone to since the incident and issued a report showing over $61,000 had been paid, or was to be paid by Arrow International.
The continuing investigation into the site at 25 Main Road, Redcliffs, and the archaeological consultant used will cost $21,850.
A consultant to develop and define the best practice for archaeological sites cost nearly $15,000.
Staff training cost almost $6,000, and $6,500 was to be added to Mike Greer Home’s contribution to the scholarship at the University of Otago.
Judge Farish said the house on the site was demolished after the February 2011 earthquake and Heritage NZ told Arrow International that the property was of interest as the area it was sited on was a very well known early Moa-hunter period site.
Excavations began on October 21, 2013 because an application was accidentally not submitted to Heritage NZ and not processed.
When Heritage NZ went to the property in December the excavators had cut through a charcoal rich cultural layer containing shell, bone, and fire-cracked rock.
Judge Farish said the damage could not be repaired and both companies co-operated with the investigation and instigated various processes so no further breaches would occur.
She convicted and discharged both companies because of the steps they had taken to date, and were to continue in the future, saying they were sufficient to denounce the offending, but also to promote the important Historic Places Act.
Category: News
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