A man who got angry with a fisheries officer trying to give him an information pamphlet while he was launching his boat was fined $300 today for obstructing the official.
When Robin Hanvey, a Western Bay of Plenty avocado orchardist, appeared for sentence in Tauranga District Court, Judge Thomas Ingram said he could not find any precedent anywhere for the case.
He said the circumstances were unusual and fell a long way outside "every single other case" involving obstruction of fisheries officers while they were engaged in the important business of inspecting boats and measuring catches.
In this instance, Hanvey, found guilty after a defended hearing, "unsurprisingly" took the view that it was dangerous distracting him during the boat launch and the officer should have waited until he had finished.
The judge accepted that Hanvey had no intention of actually ramming the fisheries' vehicle when he came close to it as he drove off the ramp, but said the officer understandably did not know that.
"They simply don't have to put up with that," Judge Ingram "They are doing important work on behalf of New Zealanders."
The court heard that it was "a one-off, unpremeditated incident".
Hanvey became threatening but did not actually carry out any violence when the officer's actions annoyed him.
The Ministry of Fisheries sought a deterrent penalty, citing the number of honorary officers who worked without pay and should not have to put up with such behaviour.
But Judge Ingram said the obstruction, when it came to the handing out of informational material, was not "high up there" and was hardly likely to happen again "any time soon".
He said the legal proceedings would have a salutary effect and he would be surprised to see Hanvey before a court again.
