David Nott Marsh, aged 51, pleaded guilty to a charge under the National Parks Act 1980 of occupying land in Kahurangi National Park without authority for mining purposes. He was also ordered to pay reparation to DOC of $6697 for the expense of removing the equipment from the national park.
DOC Golden Bay Operations Manager Ross Trotter said DOC rangers had seized a large assortment of gold mining equipment and camping gear in the Slate River area on 24 May last year after receiving information about it.
"In early June, David Marsh reported to police that some of his mining equipment had been stolen and was told it had been seized by DOC."
"When spoken to by a DOC Compliance Officer a few days later, he admitted most of the seized equipment belonged to him. He said he had carried it to the site in preparation for expected permission to work a registered mining claim adjacent to the park."
"The stored equipment seized included a pontoon, petrol driven pumps, power tools and winches."
"Our rangers also found several campsites with gear including furniture, a fridge, bedding, a solar panel, and considerable rubbish."
"This find of gold mining equipment in Kahurangi makes it timely to remind people that gold mining or any other mineral exploration is not allowed in national parks."
"Mining, or any other commercial activity, such as grazing animals, is also not allowed on other public conservation land without DOC permission to access to the land."
