A 47-year-old man was remanded on bail when he appeared before a Justice of the Peace in the Kaitaia District Court today charged with wounding and using a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
An interim order suppressing the man's name and occupation was granted, without police opposition.
The charges relate to an alleged attempt to steal a front-end loader from a property near Houhora, about 39km north of Kaitaia, on Wednesday night.
An 18-year-old man was taken to Kaitaia Hospital where he was treated for pellet wounds and later transferred to Whangarei Hospital.
His injuries were not believed to be life threatening.