Slink skin operator charged with stalking, harassment amid carcass dispute

A Southland businessman embroiled in a legal dispute over thousands of dead animal carcasses has been charged with stalking and harassment, with police documents detailing allegations involving a neighbouring property.

Da Cheng Zhi, also known as Eddie Zhi, faces two charges relating to stalking and harassment and causing harm by posting a digital communication.

Zhi told the Herald he was checking in at The Langlands Hotel in Invercargill on Friday when police arrived and told him he had breached his bail conditions by “sending an email”.

He was taken into custody and released the following morning.

Zhi acknowledged sending emails to people involved in the dispute but insisted he had done so “with no intention to harm”.

He also said he had lodged complaints with police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) over his treatment while in custody overnight.

A police bail notice shows Zhi is due to appear in the Gore District Court at 9am on Tuesday.

Da Cheng Zhi, also known as Eddie Zhi, has been trespassed from the offices of Environment Southland and Southland District Council after a series of protests over enforcement action against his business. Photo /Eddie Zhi

The document lists several conditions of his release, including a ban on contacting a neighbour at the centre of the dispute over his slink skin operation at Tuturau.

Zhi is forbidden from contacting the neighbour by telephone, text message, social media or through another person.

He must also remain at least 100m from a specified Tuturau property and is prohibited from possessing or using electronic devices capable of accessing the internet or sending emails.

A separate police stalking and harassment notice, also seen by the Herald, records allegations of dead animal carcasses being dumped on the neighbour’s property and repeated emails being sent.

The notice identifies several categories of alleged behaviour, including watching, following or loitering near a person, interfering with property, and acts likely to cause fear or distress.

The charges are the latest development in a prolonged dispute involving Zhi’s company, NZAgri Development, and authorities over its operations at Tuturau, near Gore.

Zhi has also been trespassed from the offices of Environment Southland and Southland District Council after a series of protests over enforcement action against his business.

He was formally trespassed from Environment Southland’s Invercargill offices in September after repeatedly protesting outside the building following Environment Court orders restricting his operation.

On October 5, Zhi was also issued a trespass notice by Southland District Council after arriving at its Forth St office in Invercargill carrying a box of lambskins.

His company has accumulated thousands of dead lamb and calf carcasses at its property, prompting complaints from neighbouring residents about offensive odours.

Environment Southland and Southland District Council have pursued enforcement action over the operation, with the dispute reaching the Environment Court.

The stalking and harassment charge follows the introduction of a new criminal offence in May, carrying a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

Ben Tomsett is a multimedia journalist based in Dunedin. He joined the Herald in 2023.