NZ man shot dead in Jamaica

Tiki Hunia (L) lived in Hong Kong and was holidaying in Jamaica. Photo / Oldfriends.co.nz

A New Zealander killed in Jamaica was shot dead after refusing to hand over his cell phone, according to a local radio station.

Radio Jamaica named the man as Tiki Hunia, 27, who lived in Hong Kong and was on holiday with his wife.

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the death.

Spokeswoman Emma Reilly said the ministry was giving consular support to family members of Mr Hunia in New Zealand and Jamaica.

She said MFAT was in contact with the British High Commission in Jamaica, which was arranging for the return of Mr Hunia's body to New Zealand.

Radio Jamaica reported the gunman approached Mr Hunia while he was in an expensive area known as the "Golden Triangle" in the Kingston suburb of St Andrew.

The gunman demanded Mr Hunia hand over his cell phone but Mr Hunia refused.

The gunman shot Mr Hunia three times in his upper body before running off.

Police spokesman Karl Angell said Mr Hunia's wife was with him at the time of the shooting but was not harmed.

He said Mr Hunia was an information technology consultant based in Hong Kong.

Radio Jamaica said Mr Hunia died of his wounds in hospital.

"High ranking" police officials were meeting over the case, it said.

1,611 people were murdered in Jamaica in 2008, and there have been over 600 murders so far this year.

- NZHERALD STAFF

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