Five men have been arrested in Waikato for allegedly hunting on a private property illegally during New Zealand's COVID-19 lockdown.
About 11pm on Monday, police received a report of the illegal hunting on private land in the Waitomo area. When officers arrived at the rural property, the men were allegedly hunting deer illegally.
"Only one of the men was a firearms license holder," a police statement said.
"They were arrested and have been summoned to appear in court at a later date on unlawful hunting charges," the statement said, adding further charges are being considered for breaching New Zealand's COVID-19 lockdown.
Western Waikato acting area investigations manager Senior Sergeant Rene Rakete slammed the "foolish" behaviour.
"Illegal activity involving firearms is extremely dangerous and we will not tolerate it at any time.
"We take unlawful hunting very seriously at any time but this is particularly foolish during the level 4 restrictions."
During New Zealand's alert level 4 all hunting is off-limits. The Government is finalising details as to whether it will be allowed under level 3.
