Te Anau farmer accused of destroying 800 hectares of native forest in two years

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PHOTO: RNZ Chartres legal representative denied Chartres had cleared any trees older than 20 years.

A Te Anau farmer accused of slashing and burning down 800 hectares of native forest in two years has been served with an interim court order to stop.

Southland District Council says Peter Chartres caused irreparable damage to flora and fauna when he cleared mānuka on his property to make room for pasture – ignoring an abatement notice in 2015 and multiple warnings he needed resource consent to clear trees older than 20 years.

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Chartres denies he has done anything wrong and plans to oppose a permanent court order the council is applying for.

The 8800 hectare Te Anau Downs Station has been used by the Chartres family for sheep and beef farming for more than 100 years, nestled against Fiordland National Park.