Te Anau transfer station death: WorkSafe lays charge against WasteCo

Lynda Kelly, a beloved stalwart of Te Anau, died in a workplace accident at the Te Anau transfer station on April 1, last year. Photo / Supplied

WorkSafe New Zealand has filed a charge in relation to the death of Te Anau grandmother of 13, great-grandmother of one, Lynda Kelly, who was killed in a workplace incident at the town’s transfer station last year.

The regulator confirmed it has charged WasteCo NZ under sections 36(1)(a), 48(1), and 2(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

The maximum penalty for the charge is a fine of up to $1.5 million.

Kelly, 63, died on April 1, 2025, after being pinned between a bin and a wall while working at the transfer station, her daughter Laura-Lulu told the Herald last year.

Police and WorkSafe investigators attended the scene, which was temporarily secured while inquiries were carried out.

WasteCo NZ confirmed it has been charged and said the matter will now proceed through the court process.

The company said it would not comment further while proceedings are before the court.

Lynda Kelly was a grandmother of 13 and great-grandmother of one. Photo / Supplied

In a statement on the NZX, WasteCo said it continues to support those affected by the incident and remains focused on an ongoing health and safety review across its operations.

WorkSafe New Zealand said its role is to ensure businesses meet their responsibilities to keep workers safe.

“Businesses and organisations must manage their risks, and when they do not, we will hold them to account,” said WorkSafe’s area manager Gary Lowther.

Born in Merivale and adopted into a local farming family at a young age, Kelly was a beloved stalwart of Te Anau.

A “self-described tomboy” who grew up on a sheep and beef farm, Kelly raised her children on a farm near Te Anau for two decades.

After separating from her husband, she later partnered with Lindsay Stronach, her companion of more than 26 years.

They lived together in the Te Anau-Manapōuri area and worked side by side at the transfer station, where Kelly eventually took on a formal role.

During this time she also worked at the Aden Motel for nine years, as well as the freedom camping run and at dog control with Stronach.

Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.