Boy shot in hunting accident remembered as 'little blonde boy with a lot of heart'

Connor Phillips, 11, died in an hunting accident in Kaingaroa Forest, near Taupo. Photo / Facebook

An 11-year-old who was shot in a hunting accident has been remembered as a "little blonde boy with a lot of heart".

Police confirmed on Monday that Reporoa boy Connor Brian Phillips was shot dead in the Kaingaroa Forest near Taupo on Sunday afternoon, the last day of the school holidays.

An adult member of a hunting party was unloading a firearm at the end of a hunt when Connor was shot, police said.

The youngster's tragic death has left a gaping hole in the tight-knit Reporoa community.

A talented athlete and the eldest of four brothers, Connor joined the Reporoa Rugby Football Club before he was six and was this year selected as one of nine Reporoa Primary pupils to compete in the cluster swimming competition.

Reporoa Rugby junior delegate Kelvin Thomas said Connor was a gifted and respected team member.

"He was just awesome, confident ... you couldn't fault him. He was the pick of all the kids his age.

"The adults, we grieve with it and deal with it but, I went down there last night, and just the young kids and his brothers, they just don't understand it. These other poor kids are waiting for Connor to come home."

Mr Thomas said there was a feeling of grief and sickness throughout the community.

The rural rugby club was trying to support the Phillips family as much as possible, sending flowers and cards, but nothing they could say would make it better, he said.

"There's not really anything you can say. Just that we're thinking of them. We don't know how they feel, we can't say that because we just don't," he said.

"There's nothing else you can do ... everyone I've talked to, we just feel sick.

"How many accidents, where guns go off they might put a hole in the wall or something, but to accidentally go off and have a fatality? It just makes you feel sick."

Connor's rugby coach, Carlos Latoa, said he would be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.

Mr Latoa met Connor when he became good mates with his son. All his friends were taking the loss hard, Mr Latoa said.

"I'd known this young boy Connor as a little blonde boy with a lot of heart. Every time he came and played footy for our team, he gave 110 per cent no matter what, rain, hail or snow he was out there.

"He's going to be sadly missed. In the community, his mates, everyone."

Reporoa Primary's board of trustees said in a statement yesterday they were "saddened at the tragic loss of a valued student".

"This young man was admired and respected by his peers. He was a great school leader and an amazing sportsman.

"He will be dearly missed by the whole school community, our love and thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

The school has asked for privacy for the family, students and school community.

Police said they would not disclose the outcome of the post-mortem examination or make further comment until the end of their investigation.