A judge has reserved his decision on a bid by "lion man" Craig Busch to get back control of his Whangarei wildlife park from his mother.
Busch alleged in the High Court in Whangarei on Friday his mother Patricia Busch had overstepped her authority in sidelining him from the business he built up.
His lawyer, Wayne Peters, told the High Court that Busch agreed to let his mother take over in 2006 after a period of personal difficulty.
Craig Busch was convicted that year of assaulting his then-wife.
Patricia Busch raised a loan of more than $1 million to repay Craig Busch's company and personal debt.
In exchange, she was given power of attorney, sole directorship and her son's shares in the wildlife company.
Peters says it was always agreed that Craig Busch would repay the loan and take back control of the park.
As part of the hearing Justice Paul Heath visited the wildlife park before reserving his judgment in the case.
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