KEY POINTS:
A life-saving volunteer service proved to be sending out too many strongsignals for its own good, and was fined $1250.
The fine was wiped in court because of technicalities, but the Ministry of Economic Development has defended the action it took against the charitable Motueka Search and Rescue group.
The ministry received a complaint last year about the group's radio transmitter interfering with other electronics users, and investigated, a spokeswoman said.
"Essentially their signal was too strong and this was causing interference for others.
"We gave them two weeks' notice to put it right before the audit, but this wasn't done."
The ministry then issued the fine notice, which it said it was obliged to do under the law in the same way a speeding fine is given.
A spokesman for the Motueka Search and Rescue, Sherp Tucker, said the group was not aware of the problems its radio system was causing, and admitted it was in the wrong.
But it was concerned by the amount of the fine and sought some leniency from the court.
Delays by the ministry in the court process ultimately meant the fine was thrown out by the Nelson District Court this week.
National Party MP Chris Auchinvole, a volunteer firefighter seeking to represent the electorate that includes Motueka, said he was always concerned when he heard of government departments "breathing heavily down the necks of volunteers".
"There should be a better way to deal with difficulties than imposing a fine."
Mr Tucker said the Motueka group, comprising about 38 volunteers, relied on goodwill and the likes of lotteries grants, donations and sausage sizzles.
"We basically bludge money from wherever we can get it."
The transmitter problem was expected to be sorted out next week.
The ministry spokeswoman said: "The radio spectrum is used every day by a wide range of New Zealanders, for commercial, safety and community reasons.
"Our job is to keep the spectrum 'clean' so that those using it don't suffer from interference."
