Man who threw rocks at chopper back in court

A man who allegedly threw rocks at a helicopter near Turangi last week reappeared in Taupo District Court today.

Daniel Whetu Ormsby, 44, was charged with damage endangering or likely to endanger a helicopter in flight, and assaulting the pilot with stones after the July 21 incident.

The helicopter suffered at least $20,000 worth of damage when hit with rocks while idling near Waihi Village, at the southern end of Lake Taupo.

Pilot Matt Boulcott made an emergency lift-off after the rocks shattered his front window and hit him on the shoulder.

Mr Boulcott was collecting surveyors who were monitoring a potential landslide after earthquakes and wet weather in the area.

Judge Patrick Treston remanded Ormsby in custody until August 13 while he considered an application for electronic bail to an address in Auckland.

The maximum penalty for the charges was 14 years in prison.

At his first appearance last week , Ormsby addressed the court in te reo, then in English, citing the Te Ture Whenua 1993 Act, which he said he lived by.

That legislation outlined how Maori land was to be governed to try to ensure Maori retained ownership, while ensuring it was commercially viable.

The prosecution opposed bail and said Ormsby was passionate about defending his land and his beliefs.

Ormsby had allegedly previously taken pot shots at aircraft with an air rifle.

His defence lawyer Ian Farquhar said Ormsby denied having shot at aircraft and that the risk of his reoffending on bail was "speculative".

Ormsby's mother had travelled from Wanganui to support her son in court today.

Other family members were also in court supporting him.

- NZPA