Shooting victim's joy as his uncle spared prison

Anthony Hurihanganui (left) is all smiles after hearing his uncle Albert Hurihanganui won't go to jail. Picture / Alan Gibson

Reporoa 10-year-old Anthony Hurihanganui was at death's door nearly four months ago, after his 6-year-old cousin accidentally shot him through abdominal organs with a hunting rifle.

Yesterday, he was full of the joys of life when he got home from school to learn his uncle, Albert Hurihanganui, would not be jailed after admitting a charge of careless use of a firearm causing injury.

The 32-year-old instead got 200 hours' community work when he appeared for sentencing in the Rotorua District Court. His extended family were relieved that the months of worry and stress were over and their shared healing could begin.

Anthony punched his arm into the air and said "Yes!" as his mother told him Uncle Albert was not behind bars. When his uncle arrived there were cuddles and smiles all round.

Despite having a colostomy bag and being banned from contact sports, the lively 10-year-old has already been out hunting again, a passion almost as strong as rugby and basketball. Before the shooting, he had been learning about gun safety as a member of a local pig hunting club.

The best part of joining his father, uncles or grandfather on a hunting expedition was "walking in the bush," he said.

Early on April 30, Anthony and his 6-year-old cousin - back playing together since Anthony's weeks in hospital - went with their fathers, Dean and Albert Hurihanganui, to the Waikite Valley about 30km south of Rotorua. In the excitement of chasing a pig into dense scrub, Albert left his loaded gun with the two boys, warning them: "Don't touch".

Within minutes the rifle went off and he rushed back to find his small son had apparently picked up the gun. A bullet had gone through the side of Anthony's back, slicing his bowel and stomach.

After life-saving surgery at Rotorua Hospital, the 10-year-old was transferred to Auckland's Starship hospital for further repairs to his major abdominal organs. He still faces a colostomy reversal and stomach muscle restoration but is expected to make a full recovery. Both Anthony and his small cousin are undergoing counselling.

His mother, Huia Pine, said: "He holds no grudges. He's a really outgoing kid and he has his cheeky side back. He loves his family heaps and loves his sports."

Anthony, she said, had "worried a lot" about what was going to happen to his Uncle Albert. "He has told me 'It was an accident, Mum. I'll get right. I know I am a lucky person.' Hearing that, I think 'you have a good attitude, my little man'."

Outside the courthouse, and supported by his mother Ruth, sister Elaina and brother Dean (Anthony's dad), quietly spoken Albert Hurihanganui phoned his father in Reporoa with the sentencing outcome.

He and his family had learned the hard way to "take all the right steps" to keep guns safe, said Mr Hurihanganui.

Earlier in court Hurihanganui's lawyer, Katherine Ewen, said her client "would not wish on his worst enemy" what had happened. The wider family had been "profoundly affected" but were extremely strong and, after taking part in the restorative justice programme, were able to start healing.

Judge James Weir said there was no point in his lecturing Hurihanganui. "It was a close-run thing. I think you will remember that for the rest of your days."