Investigation into shooting deaths starts

Bay of Plenty coroner Wallace Bain

A Rotorua coroner has opened an investigation into the deaths of two Bay of Plenty people shot dead in hunting accidents this month in another attempt to make recommendations on gun laws.

The investigation will look into the deaths of Carlos Ngamoki, 27, who died at Te Kaha on October 15, and 11-year-old Reporoa boy Connor Phillips, who was shot near Rotorua on October 11.

Dr Wallace Bain said in a written decision initial investigations suggested both deaths were a result of accidental discharge of a firearm by a hunting companion and "bring sharply into focus" the first three of the seven basic rules of the Arms Code. They are to treat every firearm as loaded, always point firearms in a safe direction and load a firearm only when ready to fire.

Dr Bain said drawing attention to the circumstances of the deaths might reduce it happening again.

He said he would consider making specific recommendations or comments that could reduce the chance of a repeat incident and he would look into whether public interest would be served by the death being investigated by other authorities.

He said he was also likely to look at previous hunting deaths in his investigation.

A date for the inquest will be set once all investigations are finished and expert reports are received. It will also not be heard until after any criminal proceedings, if applicable, take place. Since 2007 Dr Bain has called for the Law Commission to urgently review hunting laws three times.

In 2013, while ruling on the death of James Dodds near Rotorua, Mr Bain said Mr Dodds might still be alive if recommendations from two previous inquests had been followed.

He had made a series of recommendations after William Gillies was shot by a hunting companion in Pureora Forest near Rotorua and camper Rosemary Ives was shot in Kaimanawa Forest Park.