Butchers shooting farm animals near residential areas may be required to erect screens to shield the activity from public view, says Hauraki District Council mayor John Tregidga, but the rules permitting home kills won't change.

'We will not change the bylaw but will review it at the end of the year and will invite public comment,” he says.

The issue was highlighted by the television programme ‘Neighbours at War' which featured a Waihi resident upset when she drove passed an animal being butchered by a home kill operator. John says the animal was on former Waihi Hospital land, which although in an urban setting, is used for raising livestock.

He became involved as an arbitrator between the woman and the butcher and says after what was generally an amicable and worthwhile meeting, agreement was reached that in future the butcher should give consideration to the time of day when he shot an animal.

'In this case there were school children about at the time.”

John says it is important to respect the views of everyone, including those who may find animal slaughter upsetting, but Hauraki District is still largely a rural one and lawful activities associated with normal farming practices must be permitted to continue.