Man arrested for allegedly supplying guns to Northland shooter Quinn Patterson

Police have arrested a man for allegedly supplying weapons to Whangarei gunman Quinn Patterson. Photo / Supplied

A man has been arrested and charged for allegedly supplying weapons to Whangarei gunman Quinn Patterson.

The 61-year-old man faces a number of charges, including allegedly supplying Patterson with firearms, Detective Superintendent Dave Lynch said.

Michael John Hayes appeared in the Whangarei District Court today before Judge Keith de Ridder.

He is charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a military-style semi-automatic weapon (MSSA), three counts of supplying an MSSA to an unlicensed person, and three counts of supplying firearms to an unlicensed person.

The firearms he allegedly supplied included a Mossburg 12-gauge shotgun, Gevarm .22 calibre rifle, AK-47 replica semi-automatic rifle, and Saiga 12-gauge shotgun, 7.62 calibre rifle with various rounds and magazines.

The alleged offences took place between March 1 and May 1 this year in Whangarei.

The charge of unlawful possession of an MSSA carries a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment or a fine of $4000.

Charges of supplying each carry a three-month jail term or a $1000 fine.

Detective Superintendent Dave Lynch said police were unable to comment further as the matter was before the court.

Hayes entered no plea and will next appear in the Whangarei District Court on August 28.

An aerial view of the scene where a mother and daughter were shot dead by Quinn Patterson. Photo / NZ Herald

Investigators had previously remained tight-lipped about how 55-year-old Patterson acquired the arsenal of weapons which he used in the July 26 shootings.

Rental property manager Wendy Campbell and her daughter Natanya were shot dead during what was described as a routine inspection. A third person, contractor Jeff Pipe, was also shot and wounded.

However, the Herald revealed that Patterson had bought firearms on TradeMe and was selling accessories for military weapons right up to the day of his death.

His badly burned remains were recovered from the charred wreck of his rented home on Mount Tiger Rd, just north of Whangarei, after it went up in flames following a firefight with police.

Police also confirmed to the Herald two days after the shooting that Patterson possessed a number of firearms but did not hold a firearms licence.

Neighbours had alleged the reclusive man may have been importing his weapons from overseas, and his cache of firearms included grenades, shotguns, rifles and handguns.

Following a series of questions by the Herald, police confirmed three days after the shooting police that they visited Patterson's home over concerns about an illegal structure built on the property.

An officer offered to visit the property and was told that the structure was a platform to be used for target practice.

After discussion with Patterson, and with no other relevant information the officer was aware of about Patterson, or activity at the property, he was satisfied it was a tenancy matter that required no further action by police.

- Additional reporting by the Northern Advocate