Michael Bryant claims $91k prosecution over unconsented building work at Bay of Plenty property was 'overcooked'

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Photo: Supplied / NZME

Michael Bryant, who was fined almost $20,000 for unconsented building work on his Pāpāmoa beachfront property, said he felt "targeted" by the council, which spent more than $91,000 prosecuting him.

The Tauranga City Council building team spotted unconsented work in a real estate ad for Bryant's $2.4m property.

The ad showed photos of a pool area, which included a cabana, and no fencing between the pool and structure.

When council officers checked their records, they saw the cabana had no building consent, and the pool hadn't had final sign-off.

The council regularly checks real estate listings that include swimming pools.

A council statement said the Pool Safety and Compliance team have a "saved search", allowing them to easily identify newly listed properties that have a pool, to check if "pool barriers are compliant prior to a property being sold".

It said this was so buyers could be sure they're not purchasing an unsafe or non-compliant pool.

The council said it doesn't "regularly check" any other aspects of building compliance in this manner.

A guilty plea, a fine, and a battle over name suppression

Following an investigation that included inspections, Bryant pleaded guilty to a representative charge of completing building work without consent, and was fined $19,500 for the building work, 9