Man recovering from gunshot wound to abdomen

A young man is in hospital with a gunshot wound to his abdomen, after an apparently accidental shooting in rural Rotorua last night.

Detective Sergeant John Wilson, of Rotorua, said the wound was not life-threatening.

The 18-year-old was shot on a rural property west of Rotorua about 8.30pm.

"It would appear to be accidental, but our inquiries are continuing," Mr Wilson said.

Police had interviewed witnesses to the shooting, and would conduct a forensic examination of a vehicle today, he said.

- NZPA