KEY POINTS:
A Danish tourist has been charged over the shooting of a British agricultural student during a rabbit hunting trip in south Waikato.
Matthew Purchase, 21, was shot in the head at close range with a .22 calibre rifle while hunting with six others on a farm at Waotu, 10km southwest of Putaruru, about 11pm on Saturday.
He is in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital.
Detective Sergeant Kevan Verry, of Tokoroa CIB, said a 48-year-old Danish tourist had been charged with careless use of a firearm causing injury.
He appeared in Tokoroa District Court today, where he was released on bail to reappear on February 5.
Police were still investigating the shooting, but were not seeking any other people, Mr Verry said.
The case was a timely reminder that all firearm users must be aware of the responsibility they accepted when they used a gun.
A user should treat all firearms as loaded and clearly identify a target, as well as what was beside and behind it, he said.
The shooting was a tragedy, which had affected the lives of the victim and his whole family, he said.
Police could not comment further on the circumstances of the shooting because the case was before the court, Mr Verry said.
- NZPA
