A 33-year-old firearms licence holder is accused of going on a four-day hunt on DOC land during lockdown. File photo / Thinkstock
A 33-year-old firearms licence holder is accused of going on a four-day hunt on DOC land during lockdown. File photo / Thinkstock
A man accused of illegally hunting on public conservation land during the lockdown has been charged.
The 33-year-old firearms licence holder from North Canterbury allegedly drove about 230km on a round trip for a four-day hunt from Monday to Thursday last week.
Canterbury rural area commander Inspector Peter Cooper saidthe man had been illegally hunting on Department of Conservation land in the Lewis Pass area.
The man has been charged with obstructing a medical officer of health and unlawful hunting and is due to appear in court in June.
During alert level 4 there was a blanket ban on hunting. That's been relaxed in level 3 but hunting is still only allowed on private land.
"Police are and will continue to take breaches seriously," Cooper said.
"If you're thinking of going hunting during alert level 3, be sure to follow the strict rules. You can hunt on private land within your region, but not on public conservation land.
While the rules would be relaxed in level 3 Ardern said it was important people keep to social distancing.
In level 3 - which started at midnight - low-risk recreational activities are allowed, as long as they're local - such as going for a walk or a run.
You can swim at the beach, go for a day walk, or fish off a wharf. You can also hunt on private land - but you must stick to your bubble and stay in your home region. Overnight trips aren't allowed.
Only hunting on foot is allowed - quad bikes, off-road bikes, helicopters and other motorised vehicles are off-limits.
Boating, yachting and any team sports or training are also not allowed.
