Roger Kirk's death second loss for family in a week

The death of Taupo man Roger Kirk is the second loss for the family within a week.
Mr Kirk died while hunting on his rural Taupo property on Wednesday. It is believed he shot himself, possibly in a fall.
He was the husband of former National party president Judy Kirk and father to Taupo District Councillor Anna Kirk.
Taupo Mayor Rick Cooper, who was good friends with the Kirk family, said Mr Kirk's death was tragic news.
"I know he was very pedantic on firearms, it's just so sad to have lost such a neat guy.
"Even more heartbreaking is that Judy and Anna lost their father and grandfather last week so a double whammy in one week is hard to bear. My heart goes out to them."
Mr Cooper said the council would do anything it could to support Mr Kirk's family at "this terrible time".
Mr Kirk's death has prompted a plea for people to use firearms safely.
New Zealand Mountain Safety Council's firearms and hunter training programme manager, Mike Spray, said hunters should treat every firearm as loaded.
"It is recommended that a firearm is regularly checked, loaded only when you intend to use it and in an area where it can be safely discharged. If game gets away, put the round back in the magazine and close the bolt on the empty chamber."
Mr Spray said slips and falls could occur at any time and it was vital a firearm was kept pointed in a safe direction.
"This is equally important whether you are hunting alone or in a party."
Mr Spray said he had researched non-intentional firearm deaths in New Zealand from the past 10 years and of the 24 deaths he analysed, he had concluded all of them could have been avoided by following basic rules of the Firearms Safety Code.
"There are very few non-intentional firearms incidents in New Zealand each year which lead to injury or death," he said.
"However, when a tragedy such as this occurs and coincides with an increased number of hunters currently participating in this year's roar, it is a timely reminder to follow the Firearms Safety Code at all times."
The Seven Basic Rules of the Firearms Safety Code can be downloaded from www.mountainsafety.org.nz.