Board member charged with clearing native bush

A community board member is facing charges under the Resource Management Act of clearing native bush from land near his home on Great Barrier Island.

John Mellars, a current member and former chairman of the island's community board, and five other people are charged with clearing 2000 sq m of indigenous vegetation from land at Okupu Bay without consent, and allowing earthworks.

Neil Alexander Ingles Wright, Carole Ann Wright, David John Heald-Wright, Thomas James Daly and Guy Neville Warwick have also been charged.

The Auckland City Council alleges the accused cleared vegetation including manuka, ponga, nikau and red matipo from land owned by Neil and Carole Wright, last July.

Great Views Ltd, formerly known as Bay Lodge Developments and co-owned by the Wrights, is also charged with clearing the native bush and permitting earthworks.

The area of cleared land provides some access to Mr Mellars' property, according to the council.

As a community board member, Mr Mellars is responsible for fisheries and planning issues.

Community board member Paul Downie said Mr Mellars would continue in his role on the board.

"Great Barrier Island is an unusual place. On a map there are lots and lots of roads that basically aren't formed and access has always been an issue with some property owners trying to get access to their properties, and I guess he's got caught up in that," said Mr Downie.