Grieving father holds no grudge

Rose Ives' father says he wants her to be remembered as a 'wonderful, gifted teacher'. Photo / Supplied

The father of a Lower Hutt teacher shot dead while on a camping trip says he feels no anger towards her alleged killer.

Hundreds of people turned out yesterday to say goodbye to 25-year-old Rose Ives at a memorial service near Nelson.

Ms Ives was shot dead last Friday while brushing her teeth on a camping holiday near Turangi.

Her father, Malcolm Ives, said her death was an awful, preventable, wasteful accident.

"The young man responsible was unforgivably negligent. Even so, for some reason, there's no room in my heart for anger. My hope for this man is that out of tragedy may come a better, wiser person, one who can positively influence others in the future. I sincerely hope this accident does not destroy him."