Tuturau business owner fights to save slink skin operation
Wednesday 7 October 2026 · 2 outlets · 3 reports · updated In this story Environment Court, Southland District Council
Eddie Zhi is appearing in the Environment Court to challenge an interim enforcement order against his Tuturau business, NZAgri Development. Meanwhile, the Southland District Council is seeking to revoke the factory's resource consent, alleging that repeated breaches have caused harm to the environment and nearby properties.
Key facts
4 facts
- Eddie Zhi is the director of NZAgri Development in Tuturau
- Environment Southland issued interim enforcement orders on 9 September
- The hearing took place in the Environment Court in Invercargill
- Zhi is facing seven charges related to discharges and abatement notices
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
Eddie Zhi, director of NZAgri Development, is appearing in the Environment Court to challenge legal actions against his Tuturau slink skin business. Zhi is seeking to rescind an interim enforcement order from Environment Southland that prevents the company from receiving or processing carcasses. He is also resisting an application by the Southland District Council to revoke the business's resource consent.
The regional council has brought six charges regarding the discharge of blood, leachate, or contaminants to land, plus a seventh charge for failing to comply with abatement notices. The district council argues that repeated and ongoing non-compliance has harmed the environment and neighbouring properties. Compliance issues reportedly began in September last year following complaints about thousands of carcasses piled at the site.
During the hearing, neighbour Alyce Perkins testified that strong odours from the site made her family gag and prevented them from opening windows. Zhi, who is representing himself, challenged the scientific training of Environment Southland personnel and questioned the sampling methods used. He also questioned whether Perkins could be certain the smells originated from his property.
Zhi became emotional during the proceedings, stating, “My heart is absolutely shattered. I have had enough. I have really had enough”. He reported that 70 workers have lost their jobs and customers are cancelling contracts due to the business being unable to produce. Judge Kelvin Reid has reserved his decision as the hearing continues.
Where reports differ
- One report notes Zhi was arrested the night before the hearing regarding emails sent to a witness, while the other does not mention an arrest
Compiled from reports by The Press and RNZ.
