The Overseas Investment Office (OIO) has scrapped Tegel’s plans to buy 200 hectares of land at Arapohue, near Dargaville.
This year, animal advocacy group Direct Animal Action has campaigned alongside Kaipara locals and the Kāpehu Marae to stop the proposed Tegel mega chicken factory.
“We’re absolutely ecstatic about this victory!” said Deirdre Sims, spokesperson for Direct Animal Action.
“This decision is a win for the people and for the animals. Now Kaipara and the Kāpehu Marae won’t have to live beside a huge, stinking eyesore and Tegel won’t be able to farm an extra 9 million chickens per year in cruel conditions.”
“When we investigated one of Tegel’s farms in Helensville in July of this year, we did it because we wanted New Zealand to know what kind of company Tegel really is.”
“We documented chickens living in horrific conditions that flouted animal welfare regulations.”
“Tegel don’t care about animal welfare or about the welfare of communities and the environment. The only thing Tegel care about is their profit margin.”
“We’re planning to celebrate this win with the Kaipara community and Kāpehu Marae in the coming weeks. This whole situation shows that when people come together, we can win against corporate giants,” said Ms. Sims
