Forestry directors face personal liability for Gisborne cleanup costs

Three directors of Samnic Forest Management have lost their High Court appeal against being held personally liable for slash cleanup costs, putting their homes and assets at risk.

Reviewed by Rakai 2 July 2026

The High Court has ruled that three directors of Samnic Forest Management are personally liable for cleaning up forestry slash near Gisborne.

The directors lost their appeal against the personal liability finding.

The case involves cleanup costs for a large accumulation of slash near Gisborne.

The ruling means the three directors face potential bankruptcy and the loss of their homes as a result of the cleanup costs they must now bear personally.