By JO-MARIE BROWN
Tension over deer poaching in the central North Island is growing after shots were fired at a helicopter carrying passengers.
One passenger was assaulted and three others were threatened with a firearm when they landed in Whites Clearing in the Urewera Ranges near Ruatahuna about 4pm on Sunday.
Detective
Sergeant John Wilson said two residents fired a number of shots, one of which hit the helicopter's tail boom.
They then took the passengers' firearms and the helicopter keys at gunpoint.
Reports of confrontations between residents and poachers have increased this year after the price of wild deer soared last September.
Late last year hunters were receiving up to $6.50 a kilogram for export venison because of the high demand in Europe. Another helicopter was shot at in the area while on the ground in February.
Wires were also strung up over the end of Whites Clearing by landowners to deter helicopter hunters from shooting in the area.
Mr Wilson said Sunday's incident occurred because the passengers were suspected of poaching.
"There is a lot of money to be made in feral deer recovery and the temptation is there for people to break the law."
Police would continue investigating today.
