Gun-owning minister urges 'vigilance'

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Gun-owning Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says people must be vigilant about reporting illegal hunting activity in the wake of a Lower Hutt teacher's death.

Rosemary Margaret Ives, 25, was on a camping holiday near Turangi when she was shot on Friday night by a hunter who allegedly mistook her for a deer or possum while spotlighting.

A 25-year-old Hamilton man has been charged with careless use of a firearm.

Ms Wilkinson, who has a firearms licence, told NZPA she owned a .22 rifle and a shotgun, which she used to shoot pests, rabbits and hares.

"The first rule you learn is identify your target, and that's just basic, that is basic firearm safety. That's one of, I think, seven rules and really basic so they should know that," she said.

Policing hunters was tough.

"The difficulty with monitoring it is that if we put the conservation rangers out there then they might put themselves in danger of some idiot who's out there spotlighting," she said.

Spotlighting was illegal on conservation land.

"It is legislated against. And we have to be vigilant, we have to make sure that when there are issues that the police are contacted, then the police can take action accordingly," she said.

Ms Wilkinson said most hunters were responsible: "Unfortunately it's the irresponsible ones that tar them with the same brush."

It was a worry when people couldn't go into native bush safely.

"It's been highlighted in the last weekend, certainly I think the hunters need to have a look at themselves and actually be responsible about it."

Meanwhile the family of the hunter accused of shooting Ms Ives wants to meet her family.

Hamilton lawyer Roger Laybourn said the hunter's entire family was "devastated" and hoped to meet with Ms Ives' family to convey their sympathy.

"But they have actually been advised that it's too soon," Mr Laybourn told the Waikato Times.

"They have been told to give the bereaved family time and space, and then approach through proper channels."

Mr Laybourn said he met the man yesterday and he was "very, very distressed".

"We are very worried about his emotional state at the moment," he said.

- NZPA