Tararua police are seeking the occupants of a red ute that was abandoned after a report of gunshots in a rural area near Woodville.
"The circumstances indicate that there were probably illegal hunters or poachers in the area. A suspicious vehicle was spotted in the area and located dumped in a rural driveway not far out of town," said Senior Constable Karl Williams.
The vehicle, a red Nissan ute with a wooden deck, registration number RU3425, has been seized by police, but the occupants or current owner have yet to be identified.
"Police believe the vehicle may belong to someone in the Tararua/Manawatu area and we appeal for help from the public to identify the current owner/user of the vehicle," Mr Williams said.
"I also urge residents to be vigilant and, if they see any suspicious activity in the area, please contact police."
