Wandering stock ‘potential for serious injury’

The problem of stock wandering on highways has worsened since recent severe weather events, especially on SH35. File picture

Waka Kotahi and New Zealand Police have  reminded East Coast stock owners to keep an eye on their livestock to avoid someone getting killed or seriously injured due to wandering animals.

The severe weather of the past few months has caused significant damage to infrastructure throughout the East Coast, including fencing on farmland bordering state highways.

Waka Kotahi Hawke’s Bay Tairāwhiti system manager Martin Colditz said contractors have been called out to an increasing number of instances of animals alongside state highways in Tairāwhiti, particularly State Highway 35.

“These call-outs utilise contractor resources usually reserved for road maintenance.

“It has been an incredibly trying, stressful few months for our communities up and down the Coast, and we know people are doing their best to juggle lots of competing priorities,” Mr Colditz said.

“We also realise many stock owners have already taken steps to protect their animals and to protect road users, and we do appreciate these efforts.”

Eastern District road policing manager Inspector Angela Hallett said police were regularly advised of wandering stock, and with each incident there was the potential for serious injury.

“Police treat incidents of wandering stock seriously, and it is a major safety issue for road users.

“Our emergency communications centres work closely with partner agencies such as the Waka Kotahi Transport Operations Centre to ensure the appropriate agencies are advised and any cases attended and dealt with appropriately,” she said.

Wandering stock on the highways presented a risk to life, “so please report them as soon as you can, either by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS, or 111 where there is an immediate risk to safety”, Mr Colditz said.

“Contractors working on SH35 will be a familiar sight for some time to come, while work continues to improve the road and plans are put in place for the longer-term resilience of the highway.

“It’s really important land owners do what they can to ensure the safety of all road users, local communities and our roadworkers.”