Teen on firearms charge after man shot

A 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged with careless use of a firearm following the death of a man north of Whangarei.

Police launched a homicide inquiry after farmer Brian Gordon Adams, 46, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head outside a farm property near Hukerenui, 30km north-west of Whangarei, around 11am yesterday.

The 17-year-old local, who was known to Mr Adams, was to appear in the Whangarei District Court this morning.

Detective Inspector Chris Scahill said 20 police officers were working on the inquiry. Security guards patrolled the cordoned-off Mine Rd crime scene overnight.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)