A judge has handed out $165,000 in fines to three Tauranga men and a company convicted over the botched Bella Vista housing development.

Twenty-one homes were eventually declared dangerous or not up to scratch and had to be abandoned.

The council ordered the site to be evacuated in March 2018 after it had been partially built by the now-liquidated developer, Bella Vista Homes.

Bella Vista Homes director Danny Cancian has been ordered to pay $60,000 for breaches of the Building Act, with the judge describing him as a bully by nature who was arrogant and entitled.

His failed company was also convicted in a reserved decision last year, but has not been fined.

Cancian is now on a jobseeker benefit but the judge said that was not a compelling reason for reducing the penalty.

Bruce Cameron and his company The Engineer Limited were convicted on six charges each and have been fined a total of $90,000.

Judge Paul Mabey said Cameron had failed his obligations at the highest level.

Blocklayer Darrel Joseph will have to pay $5000 for each of his three convictions.

Ninety per cent of all the money will be handed over to the Tauranga City Council.

-RNZ.