Farmer found shot dead

A Marlborough farmer who went rabbit hunting yesterday has been found dead with a bullet wound in his chest, police say.

The man, believed to be Piers Throssell, 52, of Clarence Valley, 40km north east of Kaikoura, was found by a neighbour about 10pm yesterday.

He was sitting on his four-wheel drive motorbike fatally injured, Sergeant Ciaran Sloan of Blenheim police told NZPA.

Mr Throssell had been out on his farm alone rabbit hunting before the incident.

Police were conducting a scene investigation at the moment.

Mr Sloane said until that had been completed it was not known if the case would be referred directly to the coroner or treated as a homicide inquiry.

Mr Throssell's neighbour Jeremy Stace told the Marlborough Express the community was "shattered" by his death.

"We have lost a very loved person."

He said Mr Throssell was an experienced hunter and loved fishing and the outdoors.

Mr Throssell and wife Joanie bought a sheep and cattle farm in the Clarence Valley area in 1996, after moving from England with their four now-adult sons.

"He had always wanted to have a farm in New Zealand, and that became a reality in 1996," Mr Stace said.

He said the community would be giving "total support" to the family.

- NZPA