Charges filed over Auckland Port worker’s accidental death

On Thursday, August 12, Maritime New Zealand has filed charges against Ports of Auckland (POAL) and an individual in relation to the death of a port worker almost a year ago.

Mr Pala’amo “Amo” Kalati was killed on August 30, 2020, after being crushed when a container was dropped during a lifting operation.

The following charges have been filed in the Auckland District Court

• POAL has been charged under sections 47 (establishes an offence of reckless conduct in respect of a health and safety duty), 48 (establishes an offence of failing to comply with a duty that exposes an individual to the risk of death or serious injury) and 90 (prohibits adverse conduct for a prohibited health and safety reason) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
• An individual has been charged under sections 48 and 49 (establishes an offence of failing to comply with a health and safety duty) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

A court date has not yet been set.

Maritime NZ has issued this media release as this case is of high public interest and to also provide consistent information to media and others who have regularly asked about the outcome of its investigation into the death of Mr Kalati at POAL.

It is the only public statement Maritime NZ plans to make while the matter is before the court.