Southland slink skin operator Eddie Zhi charged with stalking and harassment
Southland businessman Eddie Zhi has been charged with stalking and harassment following a long-standing dispute over animal carcasses at his property. He was briefly taken into custody for breaching bail conditions and is currently prohibited from contacting his neighbor or using the internet.
Why it matters
The case highlights the intersection of private property disputes, environmental concerns regarding animal waste, and the legal boundaries of digital communication in harassment cases.
A Southland businessman embroiled in a legal dispute over thousands of dead animal carcasses has been charged with stalking and harassment, with police documents detailing allegations involving a neighbouring property.
Da Cheng Zhi, also known as Eddie Zhi , faces two charges relating to stalking and harassment and causing harm by posting a digital communication.
Zhi told the Herald he was checking in at The Langlands Hotel in Invercargill on Friday when police arrived and told him he had breached his bail conditions by “sending an email”.
He was taken into custody and released the following morning.
Zhi acknowledged sending emails to people involved in the dispute but insisted he had done so “with no intention to harm”.
He also said he had lodged complaints with police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) over his treatment while in custody overnight.
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