Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
A farm owner and 2 former Waikato contract milkers have been fined $27,000 over a lack of feed for 230 cattle and a lack of treatment for cows suffering from milk fever.
The contract milkers were also placed on 4 months’ community detention.
Following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries at the Te Awamutu District Court, yesterday (20/8/25) JKD Farms Limited was sentenced on one charge under the Animal Welfare Act and fined $13,000.
The former employees Manu Opangai Sevaki (60) and Phyllis Ada Sevaki (44) (also known as Amy Te Moni but charged as Phyllis Sevaki) were sentenced on 3 charges under the Animal Welfare Act. Manu Sevaki was fined $8,000 and Phyllis Sevaki was fined $6,000.
“JKD Farms Limited owned and was in charge of the 230 animals. It failed to ensure there was sufficient feed available to their animals. Manu and Phyllis Sevaki were responsible for the day-to-day wellbeing of these animals and also failed to take care of them, with many underweight and emaciated,” says MPI regional manager animal welfare and NAIT compliance, Brendon Mikkelsen.
Manu and Phyllis Sevaki worked on the Waikato farm during 2022/2023 as contract milkers. Manu did the physical work while Phyllis managed the administrative part of their work. In July 2022 they contacted a veterinarian clinic 8 times to see to their cattle.
Testing found some cattle were suffering from milk fever and a plan was provided detailing how to manage the issue with magnesium supplements, which are widely used on dairy farms.
The veterinarian also recommended 3 cows be euthanised to end their suffering from milk fever. An assessment of all animals was carried out by MPI animal welfare inspectors, along with a veterinarian and a further 12 dead cattle were discovered, which likely died from milk fever and calving problems.
“Both contract milkers were experienced farmers, and we would have expected them to have been aware of the issue with milk fever and deal with it. They did not take adequate measures to look after their animals despite having expert advice from a vet.
“Likewise, JKD Farms Limited should have had better systems in place to ensure it was aware of the growing animal welfare problems at the farm, so they could be promptly addressed,” says Brendon Mikkelsen.
Animal welfare is everyone’s responsibility and MPI strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 008 333.
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
