Prosecution - EWRB v Dane Polkinghorne

On 29 April 2021, Mr Dane Polkinghorne appeared in the Gisborne District Court, where he pleaded guilty to charges brought against him by the Board for carrying out unauthorised PEW. Mr Polkinghorne had relocated a switch for an extractor fan in a Menzshed to make it more accessible. He did the PEW himself because the club could not afford an electrician. The Judge noted Mr Polkinghorne was trying to do something charitable but the EWRB has a responsibility to ensure electrical work is carried out safely. The Judge set a starting point of the fine to $4,000, which she reduced to $2,000 for mitigating factors: including the guilty plea, remorse, and a willingness to put the matter right.