Body in alleged gunman's car identified but name not released

Armed police found Bourke on a golf course at 10.40am today. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Police have identified a middle-aged man whose body was found in the car of alleged Hawke's Bay gunman David Bourke, but his name will not be released until tomorrow.

A post-mortem was completed today on the body, found in the back seat of Bourke's crashed car near Norsewood.

Bourke, 46, of Wanganui, had been on the run for two days before being found by police about 10.40am today in the toilet block of the Norsewood Golf Club on Kopua Rd, near Norsewood , 74km northeast of Palmerston North.

His green Honda, registration No XP9885, was pursued by police after he fled a failed alcohol breath test on Sunday.

The chase was abandoned but his car was later found crashed on State Highway 2 north of Norsewood, and shots were fired at police.

A short time later Bourke allegedly shot farmhand Chad Hinga in his shoulder, and police discovered the man's body in the car.

The building where Bourke was found today was just inside the cordon police had maintained, which took in 3000ha of farmland in the area, Central District commander Russell Gibson said.

"We found he was in possession of a shotgun, which he presented at police. A struggle ensued and he was arrested without further incident."

Details about the actual arrest were "sketchy", but Mr Gibson assumed the arresting officer restrained Bourke without using a firearm.

He confirmed police fired no shots during the operation.

Other than hypothermia, Bourke was not suffering any other injuries, Mr Gibson said.

Police discovered Bourke after systematically checking all buildings and outhouses within the cordoned area.

Police had been able to track where Bourke had been, Mr Gibson said.

Police had always been confident of finding Bourke alive.

Bourke was receiving medical treatment and would then be spoken to by police in Palmerston North.

Bourke has been charged with a number of driving charges, but Mr Gibson said as the police investigation continued into events over the last two days, further charges were expected.

It was not yet known when he would appear in court.

- NZPA