Troubled farm takes councillor to tribunal for digging up vegetable patch

Totara Growers "hoed in" a vegetable patch on Nov 6 last year. (Image: Tribunal submission)

Thu, 12 Jun 2025

An organic farmer has taken a Waitaki District councillor to the Disputes Tribunal for digging up a patch of cruciferous vegetables. James Porteous’ farm business, Organic Solutions, was liquidated at the end of May owing more than $1 million to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). The company had leased out a 26-hectare section adjacent to his property just south of Ōamaru. In September, the leased land was sold to Totara Growers, a company owned by Waitaki councillor Tim Blackler. Porteous claimed that when Blackle...

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