Bryant accepted “that doesn’t make it right”, and he shouldn’t have undertaken unconsented work, but felt it did not warrant such a costly prosecution. The summary of facts detailed the unconsented building work included the garage, the cabana, and a separate structure that housed a temporary sauna and had an outdoor shower. In a statement, Steve Pearce, head of building services at the Tauranga City Council, accepted prosecutions can be a “reasonably significant cost to the council”. “However, the council can confirm that this was not the first time the council has investigated Mr Bryant in respect of unconsented building work,” he said. Pearce said the council rejected the suggestion that it had unfairly “targeted” Bryant or that the prosecution was “overcooked”.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 20, 2025 19:13 UTC