Taylor Swift Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

A New Zealand-based production company working on a Taylor Swift video has been forced to apologise after disregarding filming restrictions put in place to protect an endangered species.

Taylor had hired Cherokee Films to produce a new music video on Aucklands’ Bethells Beach, Monday November 23rd, and the local council had only given them permission to bring two vehicles so as not to disturb nesting dotterel birds.

Screen Auckland manager Michael Brook confirmed Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) had issued that permit, but social media proves that they ignored the terms and brought far more cars and trucks onto the beach.

Taylor Swift accused of threatening endangered bird species at Auckland beach. https://t.co/eVFMRPk9D2 pic.twitter.com/ZnYeF790Na — ONE News (@ONENewsNZ) November 25, 2015

Swift had come under attack by local environmentalists because of the potential impact the additional cars could have on the dotterel population, as there are just 1700 left in New Zealand.




‘It’s really disappointing that such a large number of vehicles would park all over the beach and drive all over the beach,’ the chairwoman of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board, Sandra Coney, told Radio New Zealand.

At around 1700 individuals, the New Zealand dotterel is among New Zealand's rarest birds. https://t.co/K7DtbMp92Z pic.twitter.com/ctE57mgReE — Wildside New Zealand (@wildsidenz) November 25, 2015

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However, Cherokee Films have taken full responsibility for breaking the rules of their shooting agreement.

‘Taylor Swift and her management team were in no way at fault and did not do anything that violated permits or ordinances,’ a statement said.