Jock Davies, 21, died in a hunting incident on Stewart Island in July.
Jock Davies, 21, died in a hunting incident on Stewart Island in July.
A man charged over the hunting death of Jock David Grant Davies has pleaded guilty in the Invercargill District Court.
Paul William John Stevens, a 39-year-old Ashburton builder, faces a charge of careless use of a firearm causing death in relation to an incident on Stewart Island/Rakiura earlier this year.
The Davies family were present in the public gallery throughout the court proceedings.
Court documents allege Stevens caused the death of Davies by carelessly using a Tikka .308 rifle.
The charge was filed in the Invercargill District Court on November 22, 2025, under section 53(1) of the Arms Act 1983, which carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment or a $4000 fine.
It relates to an incident on July 5, 2025, at Halfmoon Bay.
Davies, 21, was part of a hunting party of nine when the fatal incident occurred at about midday the following day, July 6, in the South Lords River hunting block.
His father and brother were among the group at the time.
Appearing before Judge Duncan Harvey, Stevens was represented by defence counsel Grant Fletcher, who entered a guilty plea on his behalf.
Judge Harvey convicted Stevens and remanded him at large for sentencing in March.
Jock Davies, pictured here as a child with his mother Sarah Davies, was a leukaemia survivor.
The court ordered a full pre-sentence report with appendices and authorised restorative justice.
Fletcher told the court restorative justice was “of some moment” in the case and said Stevens was more than willing to engage in the process.
He also indicated Stevens intended to make an emotional harm payment, to be addressed through restorative justice.
Judge Harvey said all sentencing options remained open.
Hundreds of people gathered in Davies’ hometown of Tapanui, West Otago to farewell him at a public service on July 13.
His father, Pete Davies, supported by his wife Sarah Davies and sons George and Tom Davies, described his son as the “toughest little ****er I’ve ever had the fortune to know”.
“I’ve been lucky to have a son who has lived 21 years to the max. He’s entertained, he’s cared, he’s thought, he’s stirred, he’s cuddled, he’s loved.
“I hope the curries and the hunting are as good as at home. I’ll see you when I’m looking at you, mate.”
