Environment Canterbury chair steps aside amid investigation

Friday, 3 May 2024

ECan chairman Peter Scott is stepping aside from his role while an investigation into his farming activity takes place.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) chairman Peter Scott will step aside from the role amid an independent investigation into his farming activity.

Scott, a mixed crop farmer, last month told a radio programme that he was “operating illegally” due to a delay in receiving resource consents from ECan. He later walked back those comments.

The Press on Friday made further enquiries related to the farm, which prompted a statement from ECan announcing he was stepping aside.

“Following comments made by chair Peter Scott on NewstalkZB regarding his farming activity, the chief executive has initiated an independent investigation and Peter Scott will be stepping aside from his role as chair of the Canterbury regional council (Environment Canterbury) while the investigation is undertaken,” it said.

The investigation would likely take “a number of weeks”, the statement said.

Deputy chairman Craig Pauling will serve as acting chairman.