PHOTOS/SUPPLIED
Police appeal to the community to find alleged poachers breaching lockdown
Hunter says incident ‘disappointing’
GIANINA SCHWANECKE
[email protected]
Two alleged poachers have been caught on camera breaching covid-19 lockdown regulations in Wairarapa.
The pair were spotted hunting on privately-owned land they did not have permission or legal authority to hunt on.
Police have asked the Wairarapa community for information and would like to remind people that such activities breach lockdown regulations.
Wairarapa Police Area Commander Inspector Scott Miller said police sought the public’s help in identifying the two men.
“We would like to speak to them in relation to hunting in the Tinui-Castlepoint area.”
He said the photographs were taken on the morning of April 7, but it was possible this was not the only time they went hunting.
It was frustrating that people were hunting during the lockdown, Miller said.
“We are getting reports from forestry blocks and public land where people aren’t supposed to be on.
“Even hunting on private land, like farms, breaks the rules by travelling to those locations.
“When they get into trouble that’s what risks everyone else’s bubble.”
He asked that anyone thinking of breaching the level 4 lockdown by engaging in recreational activities in rural areas – be that tramping, hunting, diving, swimming, surfing or fishing, “do not do so”.
Police rural and community Sergeant Ian Osland said he was working closely with the Wairarapa rural community who were concerned about safety issues associated with illegal hunting.
He said the rural community was fully behind identifying and stopping this type of illegal activity which may cast a shadow on legitimate licensed gun users who are adhering to the lockdown.
A hunter, who the Times-Age agreed not to name, said this was the first roar he had missed in 30 years and was disappointed that a “small number” of hunters were letting people down.
“It’s pretty damn disappointing.
“This is a big time of year for hunters. It hurts deeply, but 99.99 per cent of them are sucking it up for the greater good.”
He asked that those breaching the lockdown, by hunting or doing other things like visiting holiday homes, “stop thinking of yourself”.
Anyone who can help identify these men is asked to contact the Wairarapa Police, phone police line 105 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
