Man in court over deer deaths

A 26-year-old Solway man has appeared in court charged with shooting two tame fallow deer fenced in at a Masterton public park.

Tama Peretini Taitapanui appeared before Judge Barbara Morris in Masterton District Court on seven charges including killing the two deer at Queen Elizabeth Park on July 14 and ill-treating a ewe by hitting it over the head with a hammer and cutting off the animal's tagged ear. He did not enter a plea to the charges.

The deer he allegedly killed belonged to the Wairarapa Deerstalkers Association and were used to being hand-fed by children. Following the discovery of the deer being taken police recovered an arrow or crossbow bolt in the deer park. They believed the culprit had loaded the carcasses into a car. The deer were valued at $1250.

Police also alleged that on September 11, Taitapanui and an associate killed a ewe for its carcass. It was worth $120 and the owner was unknown.

Taitapanui also faces three burglary charges of residential homes on Te Ore Ore Rd on July 2, Fourth St on August 11 and Castlepoint Rd on September 25.

He also faces a charge of stealing a PlayStation on October 10 worth $950.

The accused was represented by lawyer James Elliott. The judge remanded Taitapanui in custody until October 28 when he is due to plead to the charges.