Vinegar Hill camper charged for pointing firearm at police

Police are continuing their inquiries into a family harm incident at Vinegar Hill campground yesterday morning after a man threatened campers and police with a firearm.

The 22-year-old man is in a stable condition in hospital after he was shot by police during the incident.

Detective Inspector Marc Hercock said police were called to the campground near Hunterville around 9.25am, where a man was threatening his partner and other occupants of the campground with a firearm.

When police arrived at the scene the man then presented the firearm at police.

The man was subsequently shot by police and was taken to hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. He underwent surgery on an injury to his arm on Tuesday night.

Police shot a man who allegedly threatened a woman with a firearm at Vinegar Hill campground near Hunterville in Rangitikei.

He is due to appear in the Palmerston North District Court on January 25 and has been charged with presenting a firearm at police.

He will remain in police custody until his appearance.

The criminal investigation remains ongoing and further charges may be laid.

No one else was injured as a result of the incident, and support is being provided to victims and witnesses.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) have been advised and are conducting an investigation in relation to the circumstances of the police shooting.

Manawatu District Council communications manager Paul Stein said the campground is managed by the council, but said the council had no detail about what had happened there.

Vinegar Hill, or State Highway 54, on the banks of the Rangitikei River, is a scenic route about 5km north of Hunterville.