Auckland Council faces a legal challenge for issuing a code of compliance for an illegally-built dam on Crown land. In 2016, diggers rolled into a regional park and constructed a dam over what had been a low ford in Mangawhai's Te Arai Stream. The diggers were there for Te Arai North, the developers of the exclusive Tara Iti golf course associated with US billionaire Ric Kayne. Yesterday Environment Court Judge Jeff Smith questioned whether Auckland Council was the correct party to be in court. Court was adjourned for the day so the court could perform a site visit to inspect the dam, pump shed and stream.

Source: Stuff October 07, 2019 19:07 UTC