Bluff fisherman John Edminstin has abandoned thoughts of appealing a District Court judgement and paid former Bluff Community Board chairwoman Jan Mitchell $65,000.
Last month, Judge Paul Kellar found Mr Edminstin defamed Mrs Mitchell at a community board meeting two years ago and ordered him to pay her $40,000, plus costs.
Mr Edminstin had considered appealing, but said on Tuesday he had decided against it.
He would like to have appealed as he still believed he had not defamed Mrs Mitchell, but had been told by his lawyer it would be costly, with an uncertain chance of success.
Mr Edminstin estimated the case would cost him $100,000 or more in total, as he also had his own legal costs to meet.
Mrs Mitchell confirmed on Wednesday the money had been paid but said she did not wish to comment on the payment, or how much would go towards her legal bills.
''It's done and dusted now. It's over with and we're moving on.''
allison.rudd@alliedpress.co.nz
