Dead boy's mother visits school shrine

The mother of 10-year-old Oliver Nicolson visited his Dargaville Primary School classroom yesterday to collect his possessions and see a shrine his fellow students had erected to him.

"She wanted to see all the bits and pieces his classmates had out together," principal Alan Russek said.

Oliver - known to family and friends as "Little Ollie" - died of a single gunshot wound at his Hokianga St home on Tuesday morning.

Last night, his body was returned to his family from Auckland, where an autopsy had been conducted.

His classmates made a piece of artwork and home-made treasure chests full of origami flowers and other items which they hope to present to Oliver's family.

Oliver's teacher, Wendy Hallett, said her class had started asking about how he died - it had taken a few days for the news to sink in.

"They just sat there silently, dumbfounded.

"They are still taking their time to understand it. There have been a few questions coming out."

Ms Hallett said Oliver loved art and was very creative.

She said he "was a good kid" who had a close group of friends.

Oliver was supposed to be riding his bike to school on Tuesday morning, but because it was raining his father Laurie had offered to drive him.

His sister Sarah, 14, found his body after being sent upstairs to fetch him.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Tier of Dargaville police said the incident involved a high-powered hunting rifle belonging to Oliver's father.

It had been locked in a gun safe and the ammunition was in a high cupboard in another room.

"We might not ever find out why," Mr Tier said.

The police are preparing a report for Northland coroner Brandt Shortland, who will decide whether an inquest should be held into the death.

Some media reports have suggested bullying had played a part in Oliver's death, but police and his mother Sue have denied this.

Mrs Nicolson said her son wagged school last Friday as he was afraid of being told off for not doing his homework.

Kaipara District Mayor Neil Tiller, said Dargaville was in shock.

"It's incredibly sad. There are a lot of unanswered questions."

Oliver's funeral is to be held tomorrow at the Oturei Marae, 6km south of Dargaville.