North Canterbury man charged over illegal hunting on DOC land

A 33-year-old firearms license holder from North Canterbury has been charged after illegally hunting on Department of Conservation (DOC) land in the Lewis Pass area.

The man, who drove approximately 230km on a round trip for a four-day hunt from Monday to Thursday last week, has been charged with obstructing a medical officer of health and unlawful hunting and is due to appear in court in June 2020.

There was a blanket ban on hunting during COVID-19 Alert Level 4.

There have been more reports on illegal hunting during the lockdown.

Five men were arrested on 20 April on the grounds of unlawful hunting on private land in the Waikato.

Read more: Five men arrested over illegal hunting in Waitomo

Read more: NZDA condemns poaching during lockdown

Read more: Govt announces rules for hunting under COVID-19 Level 3

“Police are and will continue to take breaches seriously,” said Canterbury rural area commander inspector Peter Cooper.

“If you’re thinking of going hunting during Alert Level 3, be sure to follow the strict rules. You can hunt on private land within your region, but not on public conservation land.

“Police will have the discretion to take the appropriate action against anyone flouting Alert Level 3 restrictions.”

The government announced that recreational hunting is allowed at Level 3 but on private land only. Hunters must get permission from the landowner.

Overnight trips are not allowed and hunting must be on foot. More information can be found on the government’s COVID-19 website.