The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is taking court action against a Northland company for alleged unauthorised destruction of an archaeological site at Waitangi.
The trust said the case, which is listed for a status hearing at Kaikohe District Court on Friday, is related to earthworks by Far North Holdings Ltdlast April.
FNHL, a trading enterprise controlled by Far North District Council, has indicated it will strongly dispute the claim.
Trust senior archaeologist Rick McGovern-Wilson said yesterday the site included shell middens (rubbish areas) and the remains of small earth ovens dating back to before contact between Maori and Pakeha.
He said it measured 80m by 20m, was well-recorded and clearly identified, located near a jetty where a road was being widened and a bus turning circle constructed.
The trust has powers under legislation to prosecute where archaeological heritage has been destroyed without authority, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine.
Dr McGovern-Wilson said trust approval was required to destroy a site, irrespective of what resource consent had been granted.
"We are concerned that archaeological heritage has been damaged," he said.
"We want to do everything we can to ensure that this sort of unnecessary destruction does not happen again."
FNHL chairman Malcolm Nicolson said he could not comment in detail because the matter was before the court.
But he said the company disputed the allegation against it and would be "vigorously defending its position".
