Ōhau landowners blame lines company for $40m fire losses

Ōhau landowners blame lines company for $40m fire losses
The Lake Ōhau Village fire destroyed 48 houses and seriously damaged six others. (Image NZME)
Ian Llewellyn
Property owners who say they suffered more than $40 million in damages when a fire devastated Lake Ōhau Village in the South Island in 2020 have been told by the High Court to refine their statement of claim.More than 100 plaintiffs, including individuals, companies and trusts, allege that electricity lines company Network Waitaki was negligent in maintaining a power pole and its failure started the blaze.It took more than a week to extinguish the out-of-control 5,000-hectare scrub fire on the shoreline of Lake Ōhau, in the Mackenzie Basin near...

More Law & Regulation

Smaller lenders eye prudential requirements in RBNZ review
Finance

Smaller lenders eye prudential requirements in RBNZ review

NBDTA proposed a total capital ratio of 10.5% of risk-weighted assets.

Andy Macdonald 10 Oct 2025
Manuka Doctor trademark appeal dismissed
Law & Regulation

Manuka Doctor trademark appeal dismissed

One judge dissented, saying he would have allowed the appeal.

John Anthony 10 Oct 2025
Smiths City owes creditors $26.8m
Retail

Smiths City owes creditors $26.8m

The outlook for unsecured creditors of the former retail icon Smiths City appears bleak, as liabilities have mounted to more than $26.8 million.Liquidators for the century-old retailer stated in their initial report that 240 creditors were owed money by the company, as reported b...

Staff reporters 09 Oct 2025
Cost-benefit issues in spotlight amid RBNZ review
Finance

Cost-benefit issues in spotlight amid RBNZ review

The Reserve Bank of NZ had received 42 submissions to the review.

Andy Macdonald 09 Oct 2025