It says that while Affco accepts the penalty, an independent expert review has confirmed that impacts to the Wairoa River were likely to be "no more than minor" and that the discharge did not contain any toxic or hazardous matter.
"Nevertheless, Affco is regretful that this has occurred and is committed to the Wairoa community, iwi and awa, and is determined to continue to strengthen the already good existing relationships within Wairoa, " the statement says.
A meatworks was established in Wairoa in by the Wairoa Co-op Meat Co in 1916, but the plant was destroyed by fire two days after the 1931 Hawke's Bay Earthquake. In 1990 it was acquired by Affco, which was then subject to a 100 per cent takeover by Talley Group Ltd in 2010.
It is sited on the northeastern coastward fringes of the Northern Hawke's Bay town, and is one of 12 Affco plants throughout the country, all but two in the North Island.
Judge Dwyer took into account a cultural impact assessment in which local iwi representatives outlined the significance of the plant to the town and district and their abhorrence of the pollution.
The judge recognised poor and deteriorating quality of the river water and there were many sources of discharges over its course upstream and west and northwest of the town.
But he said it didn't lessen company responsibilities to comply with its permits to limit the impacts.
The company, regional and local representatives had met for a restorative justice conference in early July, and Judge Dwyer asked that the council to consider contributing from the fine towards river enhancement.