Hunter may face more serious charges

Rose Ives' father says he wants her to be remembered as a 'wonderful, gifted teacher'. Photo / Supplied

More serious charges may be laid against the hunter who shot and killed Rosemary Ives last weekend.

Police investigating the death of Ms Ives near Turangi last Friday have passed on the file to the Crown Solicitor in Rotorua to review the circumstances of the death and current charge. Part of the review will be to consider whether a more serious charge should be laid.

Ms Ives, 25, was at a DOC campsite when she was shot dead by a hunter who mistook her for a deer or possum.

The 25-year-old man arrested for the death currently faces a charge of careless use of a firearm causing death and is due to appear in the Taupo District Court on Wednesday next week.

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Todd Pearce said the charge has "historically been preferred in most hunting related deaths".

"As this investigation progresses it is clear there are elements of the circumstances of Ms Ives death that differ from these other hunting related deaths that Police have previously dealt with," Mr Pearce said.

"Given these differing circumstances, it is important that the appropriateness of the current charge be reviewed by the Crown Solicitor."

"It is unlikely that the review and final decision around this will be completed before the first court appearance next week. I envisage that a two week remand will be sought for this process to be completed."