Hunters suffer gang ordeal

A Whakatane hunter has described how he was confronted by seven armed Mongrel Mob members as he emerged from the bush in Urewera National Park.

"They all had knives - if they'd pulled out the knives, I would have shot them," said the 23-year-old of the incident in the Waimana valley last month.

He has vowed never to hunt in the Ureweras again.

The hunter, who does not want to be named, was at the end of a four-day trip from Whangarei when the incident occurred.

Exiting the national park via a carpark at the Waimana access, the two hunters were approached by the seven men wearing leather vests with "Taneatua Mongrel Mob" patches and carrying knives at their waists.

"They asked what we had been doing, and if we had any meat for them," the hunter said.

"They asked about our guns and our dogs in a threatening manner - they said they wanted a gun like that.

"They obviously wanted our guns and our dogs, and I was wondering whether I would have to shoot them to get home safely.

"They even said it was their land - although it belongs to the Department of Conservation."

After 10 minutes of intimidation, the seven got into a white Pajero and drove off, saying the hunters had better be gone when they came back or they would be doing some "taxing".

Still waiting for their ride home, the two hunters hid in bush and, five minutes later, the seven men returned.

They were yelling "Where's my f****** guns" and "We know where you are".

Fortunately, they left soon after, the hunter said.

"I could have shot one of these men to save myself but who would have ended up in prison?

"It's disgusting that we can't go into our national park and feel safe. This was my friend's first time in the Ureweras - he's an experienced hunter and he's never come across anything like it."

He reported the incident to Whakatane police, and said other hunters needed to be aware of the potential risks.

Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins said such incidents involving hunters were not common.

Andy Bassett, Conservation Department area manager for Gisborne and Opotiki, said it was the first time he had heard of such a confrontation.

"I would urge people who come under any kind of intimidation to contact the police," he said.

- NZPA