McCallum Brothers investigated by DoC over Pakiri protected corals

A surfer on the Pakiri coast is dwarfed by a McCallum Bros sand mining vessel. Photo/ Doug Moores

Sand mining company McCallum Brothers is under investigation after accusations it disturbed a protected native coral during dredging at Pakiri.

The Department of Conservation (DoC) said its investigation began in late August 2025 after allegations the corals had been disturbed during commercial sand mining operations inside the Pakiri Temporary Sand Extraction Area.

Documents provided to DoC show the corals were first detected in early March 2025 by Bioresearches, an ecological consultancy working for McCallum Brothers, but were not formally identified for nearly three months.

Dredging continued during that time.

Pakiri lawyer and resident Damon Clapshaw, who successfully opposed earlier attempts by McCallum Brothers’ to continue sand mining at Pakiri, supplied evidence to DoC alleging the company breached consent and statutory requirements by failing to promptly disclose the discovery and by continuing work in an area containing protected marine wildlife.

DoC Border and Species Trade manager Ben Cornelius confirmed the company was being investigated for two alleged breaches of the Wildlife Act 1953: taking or disturbing absolutely protected marine wildlife without authority; and failing to report accidental or incidental death or injury of marine wildlife.

The stony corals involved – kionotrochus suteri and sphenotrochus ralphae – are rare species found only along the northeast coast of Northland, including Pakiri and Bream Bay.

Their limited distribution and role as natural filter‑feeders make them ecologically significant.

If proven, the first alleged offence carries penalties for companies of $800 to $300,000, depending on whether DoC pursues a criminal prosecution. Fines of $600 to $10,000 apply similarly to the second alleged offence.

About 1500 people joined forces at a protest last year against McCallum Bro's Bream Bay sand mining proposal. Photo / Nigel Yellowlees

McCallum Group’s chief operating officer Shayne Elstob acknowledged the allegations, saying they were made by a private party to DoC and had not been admitted by the company.

“MBL have responded to an enquiry from DoC about the allegation and at this stage has nothing further to add,” Elstob said.

The investigation comes at a critical time for McCallum Brothers, which is seeking Government approval through the Fast Track process to extract more than 8 million cubic metres of sand from Bream Bay - a proposal drawing strong community and environmental opposition over risks to sensitive marine habitats.

DoC would not comment further while the investigation remained active, but expected to confirm an outcome in the next few months.

Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, covering a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in journalism, mostly as a court news reporter in Gisborne and on the East Coast.