On Tuesday, Waipori Falls property owner Ian Clay contacted the Otago Daily Times to raise concerns about a partially butchered carcass of a pig, displayed on a pole near the village’s entry loop road.
Mr Clay said several residents had complained to police about the appearance of the bloodied remains last week, believing it to be intimidation relating to ongoing village infrastructure disagreements.
The former hydro-village — located at the head of a river gorge about 50 minutes from Mosgiel — is run by its own body corporate, managing infrastructure and collective decision-making.
Waipori has made headlines for water infrastructure issues leading to occasionally fractious disputes among residents during recent years.
Responding to Mr Clay’s statements, Waipori resident Joe Davy told the ODT Mr Clay had misinterpreted the situation, which was simply normal hunting practice.
"Unfortunately, Ian is embellishing things. There are a phenomenal amount of pigs up here at the moment, damaging the commons.
"They’ve undermined my property, and hunters in the village are addressing the problem as there’s no money [in the body corporate] for pest control.
"Pigs are commonly displayed as a message to other hunters of their presence, and to other pigs to act as a deterrent," Mr Davy said.
However, body corporate committee chairwoman Pam Murray rejected Mr Davy’s claim.
Ms Murray said the placement of the carcass in a prominent, residential part of the village was intended as intimidation.
"The discovery of a pig carcass ... was a highly inappropriate, intimidating and distressing act that caused significant concern among residents.
"It raised serious health, safety and community wellbeing issues, and was immediately reported to both the Clutha District Council and the New Zealand Police.
"We see it as a form of harassment that has no place in our village ... This is out of step with who we are as a community and we simply do not need or tolerate this kind of ridiculous and offensive behaviour."
She confirmed several residents had reported the incident to police.
However, she was not reassured of a successful resolution after she was contacted yesterday by an officer from Winton, about 185km from Waipori in neighbouring Southland.
"We had a follow-up call from Winton police, which was a bit strange. They didn’t seem to know where Waipori was."
Ms Murray said Waipori had potential to be an idyllic setting for residents.
"Waipori Falls is a peaceful and beautiful village surrounded by nature, and our residents take great pride in maintaining a respectful and welcoming community.
"Most people here are lovely."
Police were contacted regarding patrols and incident response for the village yesterday, but had not responded by deadline.
