Letter: Sorry, for whatever reason

Police will not be putting up with rubbish dumpers anymore.

I suppose I really have disgraced myself. I have let down my parents, my girlfriend's dad and the kaitiaki of Te Oneroa a Tohe (90 Mile Beach).

I got caught dumping a couple of trailer loads' worth of rubbish behind the dunes up 90 Mile Beach. I am aged in my early 20s, and have had years of schooling and living and recreational time on the beach in the immediate area of Waipapakauri and Paparore. I suppose it goes without saying that I should have known better.

I didn't realise there were eyes watching. There doesn't seem to be any excuse. It's not like I can claim it was a spur of the moment brain fart. I took the money for the dump from my girlfriend's dad and pocketed it.

I am going to have to wear this, as I have been summonsed to court and have some making up to do, or the police aren't going to withdraw the charge.

I apologise to Ngai Takoto iwi, who own the forest, and Summit Forests staff, who had to get a skip bin in and pick up the mess.

I also apologise to all the people who use the beach and forest. I understand what I have been told, that I have violated the mana and tapu of this place of our heritage, and all because of being greedy and ignorant by wanting to pocket a few dollars.

Now I have a rubbish collection bill that is not far south of $600, and have to meet with the board of Ngai Takoto to explain myself, which could be somewhat uncomfortable. How do you explain doing something which is right up there with standing on the corner of Melba St and Commerce St at noon on a week day and p ... my pants in public?

Part of this deal is that I have to write a letter to the Age for publishing. I guess I'm a bit lucky in a way, because I'm told my letter will be like a final warning to everyone, and that apparently from now on people aren't going to have their charges withdrawn like me, unless maybe you know the right people or can do a whole lot of fast talking.

If I went to court I would have to pay for the rubbish clean-up and would get a fine that could be up to $5000. What's up with that? It would be cheaper to get busted for bashing someone.

The cops told me to be honest, so here goes. The truth is I can't really tell if I'm sorry for what I did, or just sorry for getting caught. Doesn't matter I suppose, because regardless, I've learnt the embarrassing and expensive lesson, and then got trespassed from Aupouri Forest.

NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED