Wairarapa homicide: Local MP Mike Butterick says shooting does not define community

Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick says a recent shooting does not define the community.

Two people were taken into custody after a car was shot at in Featherston yesterday afternoon. The car later stopped near the Carterton New World and a man was found with a gunshot wound. He later died.

A second vehicle was driven away to flee the scene and was stopped by police in Kaitoke, where two men were taken into custody.

Butterick said this behaviour was “not acceptable” and never will be.

The local MP told NZME the community was very lucky more harm wasn’t caused when the shots were fired.

“It doesn’t define who we are as a community,” he said.

“We’re a pretty strong community, we all look after each other and I’m sure people will wrap their support around those who have been impacted.”

In a social media post on Saturday night, Carterton Mayor Ron Mark said he was in regular contact with police and confirmed arrests were made.

“This was a targeted incident involving persons I have reason to believe are known to police.”

The mayor said the incident posed no threat to the safety of Carterton residents, and assured locals there was “no reason for alarm”.

“What matters now is that we do what we always do best - look out for one another.”

A car was shot at in Featherston before stopping near Carterton's New World. Photo / Google Maps, screenshot

Mayor of South Wairarapa Martin Connelly blasted the perpetrators as “stupid damn thugs”.

“If you know the geography of Featherston, there’s only really two ways out of it, and once you’re on one of those two ways you cannot get out.”

He told NZME that police were easily able to set up blockades and capture the suspects because of this.

“Ten out of 10 for stupidity, guys. It wasn’t going to be that hard to track you down.”

Connelly said the community was left stunned by the homicide.

“[There’s] shock, obviously, if you were anywhere near it, but also the realisation that at pretty delightful small towns, events like this can also happen.”

He encouraged residents to seek help if they were traumatised by the events, and shared a link to victim support on social media.

Police said charges for the two men taken into custody were being considered.

A post-mortem examination of the victim is expected to be done in Wellington tomorrow, Detective Inspector John van den Heuvel said.

Police were completing a scene examination in Featherston, while the Kaitoke and Carterton scenes were cleared.

The Carterton scene will be blessed later today.

“Police maintain a presence in Wairarapa for community reassurance – however, we also reiterate our appeal to the ot acceptable’public,” van den Heuvel said.

“We know a number of people would have seen elements of what happened yesterday, and we are keen to talk to you if you have not already spoken to police.”

Video circulated on social media last night of a man being taken into custody by police near Kaitoke. He could be seen with his arms in the air, walking backwards towards armed police officers who were sheltered behind police cars, including a mufti car.

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