Dannevirke: Mystery prowler caught on camera

Police are seeking information on this suspected poacher with his bull mastiff, pictured on a rural Tararua property without permission of the owner. Photo / Supplied

What was a man doing on a Tararua farm at 4.55am with his bull mastiff on July 31?

"He didn't have permission and it concerns me someone was on this property with his big, strong dog wearing a GPS," Senior Sergeant Nathan Davis of Tararua police said.

"The farmer hadn't given permission for anyone to be there and we also have an image taken of the man riding his pushbike on the farm."

Mr Davis said the message from police had been clear - they would not tolerate poaching.

"The Dannevirke and Waipukurau police have been speaking to two men and youth about poaching at Porangahau," Mr Davis said.

"I'm sick of this, we have this sort of thing happening every year and I'm determined to turn poachers into hunters."

Mr Davis wants to hear from anyone who may be able to identify the man or dog in the photo.

"Someone will know if there's a keen hunter out there using a pushbike to get around," he said.

"It's also about safety and having the common courtesy to ask farmers for permission to be on their land, and to give property owners the opportunity to say no."

Mr Davis said farmers had told him they were sick of poaching, with one saying he would put up a sign saying "no shooting".

"I'd rather see a sign which says 'no permission, no shooting'," he said.

"That spells it out pretty simply." He said the suspected poacher "would have had no idea what he was likely to encounter on this farm and I can understand the farmer's anger.

"It's lambing and calving time and the pressure is on farmers throughout the district."

-If you have information which would help police identify the man, call Dannevirke police on 06 374 4500, or ring the anonymous and confidential Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.