DoC drops coral case against sand miner McCallum Bros

Northern Advocate

7 Apr, 2026 02:49 AM2 mins to read

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A surfer on the Pākiri coast is dwarfed by McCallum Bros’ sand mining vessel. Photo / Doug Moores

An investigation into alleged wildlife breaches by sand-mining company McCallum Bros has been completed.

The Department of Conservation was looking into whether McCallum Bros disturbed protected stony corals while dredging offshore at Pākiri, north of Auckland, last year, as well as whether McCallum Bros failed to report accidental or
incidental death or injury of marine wildlife in regard to the coral.

The investigation was launched after Pākiri lawyer and resident Damon Clapshaw provided information to the department, showing protected stony coral was found in March 2025 by Bioresearches, an ecological consultancy company working for McCallum Bros, but was formally identified three months later.

Dredging had continued during that time.

Stony coral is a living organism protected under the Wildlife Act. Under the act, it is an offence to take or disturb protected marine wildlife without authority, as well as failing to report accidental or incidental death or injury of marine wildlife.