Central Otago pair face hunting charges

A Central Otago pair have been charged with a raft of offences including unlawful hunting following an armed police raid earlier today. Photo / File

A Central Otago pair have been charged with a raft of offences including unlawful hunting following an armed police raid earlier today.

Officers from Alexandra and Omakau, with members of Dunedin police's armed offenders squad, executed a search warrant in the Ida Valley area.

The arrested a 27-year-old man and 28-year-old woman.

Both have been charged with 12 offences relating to unlawful hunting, trespass, unlawful possession of firearms and possession of cannabis, police said.

Two four-wheel-drive vehicles and a quad bike were seized, along with GPS and dog tracking collars.

The man and woman were to appear in the Alexandra District Court next Tuesday.

Police said all hunters needed to have a licence or be under the supervision of a licensed person, and must hunt in approved areas or with a permit.

Central Otago police have an anti-poaching scheme in place and urged members of the public who saw anyone acting suspiciously to contact them.

Police said unlawful hunting was not tolerated and they would continue to work with landowners and communities to help reduce it.