Northland ratepayers are footing the bill for negligent dairy farmers who pollute the region's waterways, says the Green Party.
Northland Regional Council took seven successful cases to court from 2010 to 2014 over effluent discharge and other non-compliance of water resource consents related to the dairy sector.
The fines recovered have barely covered the cost to take the cases, and don't include the cost of council staff time, Green Party water spokesperson Catherine Delahunty said.
"We're aware that the dairy sector costs the environment substantially in myriad ways, but it's also costing the ratepayer. The worst offenders, those who have been taken to court by Northland Regional Council, have been fined $503,437.50 but it's cost the council $474,925.70 to take them to court," Ms Delahunty said.
"Only four of the fines have been paid in total, with two others being paid off. Fines for one conviction, in which four entities were fined $50,000 each, have not been paid. The council paid costs of $287,678.12 to bring that case to court.