A Takaka man has been sentenced to 200 hours' community work for shooting a kea.
DoC is investigating reports kea in Nelson have been shot. Photo: Wikicommons
Robert Derek Aberson had earlier admitted a charge of unlawfully hunting or killing protected wildlife, and was sentenced today in the Nelson District Court.
The Department of Conservation said it welcomed the result.
Kath Inwood of the department's Motueka office said harming kea and other protected native wildlife was unacceptable and DOC viewed such offences very seriously.
She said kea are nationally endangered with fewer than 5000 estimated to be left.
Hunting or killing absolutely protected wildlife carries a penalty of up to two years' imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000.
