In a statement, Kuriger says her family has been in a dispute with the Ministry for Primary Industries over events that occurred in 2017.
Rural News understands she’s referring to the case of her son Tony Michael Kuriger, who was ordered to pay vet and expert report costs of $4060 by the Palmerston North District Court after admitting to causing a herd of dairy cows prolonged and severe pain.
He was not disqualified from owning or controlling animals.
Tony Kuriger is a director of Oxbow Dairies Ltd, which entered into a sharemilking agreement on a dairy farm at Hukanui, near Eketāhuna.
It was alleged between October 2016 and April 2017, veterinarians treated lame cows at the property, which would later prompt a complaint to the MPI.
Rural News understands the Kuriger family are appealing the conviction.
In her statement Barbara Kuriger says the dispute has created a blurred line with her portfolio responsibilities.
“And in order to continue to support my family, I am stepping aside.
“Although the dispute is, for me, a personal matter which I have endeavoured at all times to keep separate from my professional role, I accept there has been a conflict of interest which I should have recognised sooner, and managed.
“While the dispute is ongoing, I will not be commenting further on this matter.”
Former National leader Todd Muller is tipped to replace Kuriger.
