Attack injuries and broken legs: Piggery owners barred after animal welfare horror

Author: Herald Reporters,
Publish Date: Thu, 15 Oct 2026, 3:31pm

Two men were charged after seven pigs were put down and dozens were injured as a result of poor welfare conditions at a Palmerston North piggery. Photo / Unsplash

Pigs being raised for slaughter were so hungry that they began attacking each other in search of food.

One had broken legs, was unable to stand and had no access to water.

The animals lived in pens covered in pig waste and with no bedding.

Now the two men in charge of looking after them have been banned from owning any more pigs and ordered to do hundreds of hours of community service.

The case involved more than 100 pigs, of which 20 were found injured or emaciated.

Seven had to be euthanised to “end their suffering”.

Yesterday, John Leeroy Gardiner, 66, and Hudson Tukuafu Muli-Ki-Ha’an Livai, 61, were sentenced in the Palmerston North District Court under the Animal Welfare Act.

Gardiner was disqualified indefinitely from being in charge of or owning pigs, and was ordered to do 300 hours of community work. Livai was disqualified from being in charge of or owning pigs for 10 years, and ordered to do 260 hours of community work.

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) animal welfare inspectors and veterinarians investigated the farm after receiving a complaint about a sow with broken legs, unable to stand and with no access to water.

“This sow was seriously injured and in poor body condition, and had to be euthanised,” said Herb Verstegen, MPI district manager of animal welfare and NAIT compliance (Central).

“Some of the other pigs were badly injured from attacking each other while competing for food and water. There had been an attempt to treat an injured pig, rather than seek veterinary care, which only caused the animal more pain and distress.”

Verstegen said the pens were in disarray and the infrastructure was in a state of disrepair.

“The animals didn’t have sufficient access to water troughs, and the food they were being provided was supermarket waste, insufficient for the needs of these animals.

“The floor of the pens was covered in pig wastage and boggy mud. The pigs were in shelters with no bedding, and this too was unacceptable.

He said Gardiner and Livai failed to ensure the welfare of the pigs even after being directed by the ministry.

“Both men failed to care for these animals. As we’ve seen before the court today, there are consequences for ignoring your responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act.”

MPI has urged anyone who has witnessed ill-treatment of animals to report it on 0800 008 333.