A man has been charged after Rakaia's famous salmon statue was defaced in an environmental protest in February.

Police confirmed a 35-year-old man is due to appear in the Ashburton District Court on 30 June, charged with graffiti.

Greenpeace claimed responsibility after the large statue was vandalised in February, just weeks after the 12-metre fibreglass salmon had a $300,000 ratepayer-funded refurbishment.

The salmon's eyes were replaced with cartoon-style crosses and a speech bubble reading 'Fonterra killed my family' was added.

The Ashburton District Council inspected the statue for damage that cost ratepayers around $1000 and referred the incident to police.

On Wednesday, Councillor Carolyn Cameron asked if the council had received a formal apology for “defacing of our beautiful new salmon”.

“I know the cost wasn't huge, but what is happening with regards to that?

Community and Open Spaces Group Manager of Toni Durham said no apology had been received and that “police are pursuing redeeming the costs”.

“That’s their process that they're working through right now.”

At the time of the vandalism, Greenpeace Aotearoa freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe said the protest aimed to highlight the damage to the Rakaia River, and was timed around the Rakaia salmon fishing competition.

The council was updated on the final cost of the Rakaia Salmon sculpture refurbishment on Wednesday.

It came in at $282,768.28 + GST, lower than the $297,000 budget, thanks to a number of contractors offering discounted services.

The refurbishment had included an increase in the height of the sculpture to reduce vandalism.

 By Jonathan Leask