January 22, 2015
Arrow makes amends for moa hunter disaster
Construction firm Arrow has been discarded with a conviction after one of its contractors destroyed a moa hunter site in Christchurch.
Judge Jane Farish acknowledged the company’s extraordinary response both to mitigating any damage caused through the offence and to promoting the interests of Heritage New Zealand across the wider construction industry.
The charge related to the rebuild of a residential property in Redcliffs in October 2013.
To make the foundations, contractor Mike Greer Homes cut through previously unexcavated ground and through a 600 year old charcoal rich cultural layer containing shell, bone and fire-cracked rock.
Arrow International director Tom Clisby says the company failed to ensure an application for authority to excavate was lodged before earthworks started.
He says the company deeply regretted what had happened and has subsequently changed the way it deals with archeological discovery and protection.
It has also worked with Heritage New Zealand, environmental consultant Opus International, and local iwi representatives on initiatives to heighten the understanding within the construction industry of both the importance of archeological discovery to protecting our national identity and the requirements around the current legislation.
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