Police are speaking with two members of a hunting party who were with a German tourist when he was accidentally shot in his chest by a high powered rifle near Gisborne yesterday.
The 23-year-old was shot at close range while hunting goats in rural Waihirere about 4.30pm yesterday, Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Scott said.
The man was in Gisborne Hospital in a stable but critical condition.
Police have been in contact with his parents in Germany and advised them of the situation, Mr Scott said.
"The police wish to take the opportunity to remind persons in possession of firearms to always ensure that they are pointed in a safe direction and to treat every firearm as loaded."
