fbpx
Print this page
Thursday, 23 April 2020 10:14

Sentencing of MP’s son delayed

Written by  Peter Burke
Barbara Kuriger. Barbara Kuriger.

The sentencing of Tony Kuriger, the son of National Party Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger, on animal welfare charges has been delayed until June 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was due to be sentenced on Friday April 24. 

Kuriger’s mother and MP Barbara Kuriger has been involved in a dairy industry for many years and is a former director of DairyNZ and was named Dairy Woman of the Year in 2012.

In January, Tony Kuriger pleaded guilty to 11 charges of ill-treating cows in a dairy herd he was responsible for.

His guilty plea came just two days into his trial at the Palmerston North District court where it was alleged that he caused the animals prolonged and severe pain.

The offences were said to have taken place on a farm that Kuriger and his father were involved in running during 2016/17. When Tony Kuriger pleaded guilty, the charges against his father, Louis were dropped.

Veterinarians told the court that cows on the property that the Kuriger farmed, near Eketahuna in the Tararua District, were subjected to prolonged suffering due to chronic foot problems and were not properly treated. In total 74 cows were treated for lameness and 25 were euthanised. 

The Kurigers claimed they did all they could to stop the suffering. 

More like this

Dreams aren't plans

OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery finally roars to life.

If voters see some growth and wages rising faster than prices, the government could say they've "fixed" things as they ride into the next election.

Back here on Earth though, the economy they inherited is a basket case, and the long-term headwinds are fierce.

Political commentator Liam Hehir says, "dreams are not plans" and if the turnaround doesn't come in time, National may have no choice but to go negative.

"Everybody wants to fight on the economy if they can. But when neither side has a compelling story, the contest shifts to other issues. That's not new. In fact, it's the stuff of politics everywhere, always."


 Read More:


Trop de Paris!

OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly relating to how they're treating their farmer base.

Drunk on power!

OPINION: The end-of-year booze-up at the posh Northern Club in Auckland must have been a beauty, as the legal 'elite' let their hair down and showed us how entitled and political some in the judiciary really are.

Featured

Hort industry dishes out awards

Research and healthcare initiatives, leadership and dedication to the sector have been recognised in the 2025 Horticulture Industry Awards.

Manuka honey trader posts sour results

Manuka honey trader Comvita slumped to a $104 million net loss last financial year, reflecting prolonged market disruption, oversupply and pricing volatility.

Poultry industry, Govt sign landmark biosecurity deal

The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).

National

Machinery & Products