Ngametua Terekia of Ashburton appeared in the Timaru District Court on  May 22 2024 and plead guilty to a charge of fishing in an unauthorised manner, namely using a portion of fish as bait.

Terekia was convicted and ordered to pay a total of $500 in fines and costs.

Terekia had previously been processed by Central South Island Fish & Game in 2016 for the same ‘unauthorised bait’ offence.

In addition, Terekia had been previously processed by Central South Island Fish & Game for the offences of using more than one rod, in 2016, and fishing without a licence, in 2015.

Central South Island Compliance Coordinator Hamish Stevens said, “This successful prosecution serves as a deterrent to those anglers considering breaching the rules, in that they may risk significant fines and a criminal conviction.”