Hunter fined for shooting without licence

A hunter has been slapped with a record fine of $1700 for shooting without a game bird licence.

Fish & Game New Zealand brought the prosecution against Darren James Bond after he was approached by a ranger at Maungaturoto, north of Wellsford, on March 13 and signed a declaration stating that he had paid for the licence.

Fish & Game took legal action against him after they established that he had lied to the ranger.

The level of fine imposed on Bond reflected the time and expense it took to get a conviction against him, as well as his dishonesty at the outset, Fish & Game Northland manager Rudi Hoetjes said.

"The largest fine we've seen imposed in the past has been $700."

Judge Barber, in Whangarei District Court, imposed a fine of $1100 for shooting without a licence, and a further $600 for obstructing a ranger in the execution of his duties.

- NZPA