An Auckland man has been fined $6,000 after being caught offering illegally slaughtered pigs for sale.
Robert Ngaru Kururangi, 68, was sentenced on Monday on three charges under the Animal Products Act, following a successful prosecution by New Zealand Food Safety.
“This unregulated meat business was not registered as required under the Animal Products Act, meaning it was operating without vital checks and balances in our food safety system that are there to keep consumers safe,” New Zealand Food Safety deputy director general Vincent Arbuckle said.
Compliance investigators launched an inquiry into alleged illegal pig sales at Kururuangi’s property after he had previously been warned that selling unregulated meat is an offence.
The compliance investigation involved an undercover officer who purchased pigs from the property for between $250 and $300.
During the operation, the officer also observed a farm worker employed by Kururangi slaughtering a pig that had been selected for sale.
“While someone buying one of these pigs may have considered it a great deal, their health was potentially put at risk because of the pair’s illegal behaviour,” Arbuckle said.
Previous notice issued by the NZFS
In November 2022, New Zealand Food Safety issued Notices of Direction under the Animal Products Act to both Kururangi and the farm manager, banning them from selling unregulated meat or providing facilities for anyone to slaughter animals.
Despite this, electronic records later showed they continued to illegally offer these services.
“The majority of operators in New Zealand follow the rules and understand the importance of doing so to keep consumers safe.
Arbuckle added that when there is evidence of people deliberately breaking the law, action is taken to protect consumers, as was the case here.