Metal detection activity spotted in public park

Some seemingly unauthorised turf adjustment is carried out at Queens Gardens in Dunedin by a man with a metal detector on Sunday afternoon.

The Dunedin City Council did not approve any detection or excavation activity in the area and carrying it out without permission was potentially a breach of a reserves and beaches bylaw, a council spokesman said.

"We haven’t spoken to this individual, but we do receive a small number of complaints about people metal detecting within our reserves."

The council’s usual approach in that situation was to provide people with information about the bylaw and encourage them to pursue their hobby on private land if landowners gave permission, he said.