Neighbours claim that a helicopter spraying operation at Bethells Beach left them coughing and gagging and feeling ill.
Neighbours of a wealthy landowner at one of Auckland's top beaches have accused him of making them ill with an aerial spraying campaign.
Alfred "Mack" Storey is under fire from Bethells Beach residents who claim spraying over a hillside dotted with gorse left them with burning eyes, rashes and breathing problems.
A video of the spraying appears to show the helicopter about 50m above the ground with a long trail behind.
But Storey said he is being unfairly targeted and tests showed no trace of the Tordon Brushkiller spray outside his own land.
Across the valley, overlooked by Storey's former house of the year, Mark and Karen Wilson said the spraying stung their eyes, nose and throat.
They could smell and taste the spray on the wind after the operation began.
The couple, who say they are not "greenies" like some neighbours, could not understand why they were not told of the spraying.
"It was just common courtesy," said Mark.
He said the couple's children, aged 6 and 8, were at school but one is sensitive to chemicals. Neither parent wanted him to return until they could identify the spray but the Wilsons have no doubt it was toxic.
Mark said the valley used to be called "Mosquito Alley" but "since the spraying, the mosquitoes have gone".
Neighbours Tobi and Lynn Muir said they were in disbelief when the helicopter began its run. It happened 11 days after the couple won a court injunction to stop the Auckland Regional Council spraying trees in a wetland at the bottom of the same hill.
On the video of the spraying, Tobi Muir says to wife Lynn, a nurse, that "whatever it is, it's blowing our way".
Shortly after, he could be heard coughing and gagging. Like the Wilsons, the Muirs said they could smell and taste the spray on the wind, and it stung their eyes, noses and throats.
Others residents also reported stinging around the eyes and mouth, and difficulty breathing in the days following the spraying.
Storey hit back at his critics, saying neighbours bordering the property had been notified, as legally required.
"In terms of the law, we have done absolutely nothing wrong. We're carrying on a normal farming activity. I never expected any complaints."
He was "hopeful" it was the last time a helicopter would be used for spraying on his property. If not, residents across the valley would be told of future operations.
Helicopter pilot Greg Gribble said there was no drift and the helicopter never got above 15m. "[Critics are] blowing smoke. Surely people have got to get on with their lives.
"If New Zealand stopped spraying by air, we'd be a Third World country. There would be no food on the table."
A Rodney District Council spokesman said the Storeys did not need a permit or consent to spray if it was on their land.
Neighbours who believed not enough care had been taken could complain to the council.
Storey upset locals while building his house on the Parihoa Farms property. Complaints it was too close to a walkway, now the Hillary Trail, prompted a court battle with the Auckland Regional Council which wanted it demolished.
The Storeys and Rodney District Council, which issued the permits, won the case - and the house went on to win in the Auckland Architecture Awards.
The property is a feature of the Waitemata Hunt calendar in which an artificial scent is laid for hounds to track.
It is a "drag hunt", styled on English fox hunting.
Storey's other sporting pursuits include Porsche endurance racing, and he had served as president of Porsche Club NZ.
