Northlander pleads guilty to threatening 75-year-old fishery officer

A 75-year-old volunteer fishery officer was threatened by a knife-wielding man, who said: "I'll murder you".

The seafood gatherer has pleaded guilty to downgraded charges relating to threatening the Northland volunteer fishery officer with a bait knife late last year.

Parakoti Engu has been sentenced in the Whangārei District Court to 40 hours' community work on charges of behaving threateningly and possession of a knife in a public place.

The 46-year-old from Dargaville was initially charged with threatening to kill and possessing an offensive weapon, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The police summary of facts said Engu was with several people collecting shellfish and other seafood in Taiharuru Estuary at Whangārei Heads on December 6 last year.

Two honorary fishery officers arrived to check compliance.

They were met with a degree of opposition and intimidation by some of those present.

While the officers were inspecting the seafood for compliance, Engu approached one while armed with a bait knife and objected to their presence.

The victim was 75 years old.

When the officer said some of the catch might be seized, Engu said to him: "I'll murder you," while still holding the knife and jabbing it in the officer's direction.

The officers completed their inspection and left, satisfied the group's catch was compliant.

Police were notified of Engu's behaviour.

The following day, Engu was stopped by police on Riverside Dr and spoken to about his behaviour the previous day.

The victim was present and, on seeing him, Engu said: "You are done. I will get someone to take you out."

The bait knife was then seized by police.