A Hamilton man who shot a woman dead after mistaking her for a deer is "trying to have a normal life" but faces an anxious Christmas before he is sentenced for her manslaughter.
Andrew Mears is to be sentenced in the High Court at Rotorua on February 2 for the manslaughter of Rosemary Ives, a 25-year-old Lower Hutt teacher.
Mears was with a group of friends who were hunting with a spotlight near a campsite south of Turangi on October 22 when he shot Ms Ives.
Yesterday Mears, his wife Brooke, their 15-month-old son and dog Bella were not at their Dinsdale home when the Herald visited.
The Herald understands they are staying in Hamilton with friends.
