Shooting victim undergoes surgery

A man has undergone emergency surgery after he was shot north of Gisborne today.

Police said they were still investigating the circumstances of the shooting which happened at Ruatoria, 130km northeast of Gisborne, about 3.30pm.

The man, who was shot in his lower right abdomen, had been flown to Gisborne Hospital by helicopter, Senior Sergeant Rodger Gray, of Gisborne police, said.

Police have not yet had a chance to speak to the wounded man as he was still in surgery on Thursday night, Mr Gray said.

They had found a firearm at the Ruatoria house and charged a 21-year-old man with unlawfully possessing it, he said.

Police tonight continued to interview the 10 witnesses at the house where the man was shot to work out what happened.

The man's condition was not known.

- NZPA