Polynesian Spa Ltd Served Summons

Friday 5 December 2003

Polynesian Spa Ltd were today served with a summons to appear in the Rotorua District Court on 05 January 2004. The summons relates to the death in May of the artist Joanna Margaret Harrison, otherwise known as Joanna Paul, who was found face down in the Priests Pool at the Polynesian Spa by a member of the public on 27 May 2003. Ms Harrison died 2 days later in hospital.

Polynesian Spa Ltd is charged with being in control of a place of work, but failing to take all practicable steps to ensure that hazards there did not harm people - in this case Joanna Margaret Harrison. Ms Harrison, as a customer, was in the place with the Spa's consent and had paid be there.
The offence that Polynesian Spa Ltd is charged with comes under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 Section 16 (2) (b) (i) and Section 50(1) (a).

Occupational Safety and Health can make no further comment until after the charges are heard in court.