It is the South Waikato District Council that have issued the notice, shall we say to cease and desist a right or privilege previously enjoyed? If so what was the process used and was it fair, transparent and reasonable? If not it may be considered erroneous and therefore unlawful.
How they arrived at this decision is, in my opinion, irrelevant at this time. Having the SWDC rescind this order/directive would allow further investigation (in a non-hostile environment) either by an independent authority or the SWDC themselves to arrive at some remedy or correction if erroneous conditions exist.
I am no lawyer, but I like to read a lot.
Bruce you say the club has a lawyer in it's ranks, could the SWDC find itself in breach of New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 -
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/publ ... #DLM225519
This is not a long document, of particular interest Part 2.27(2) and Part 3.28, if members of the SWMAC found themselves in violation of the directive by SWDC and are faced with legal action, as individuals, could this Act not afford them some protection.
Dealing with Courts cost money, no one wants to go that track.
On reflection, if another sanctioned club was to loose it's field through a similar action of local government without recourse or proof, would the MFNZ come to it's aid