Cromwell Police arrested two Southland men for unlawfully hunting in the Nevis Valley on Sunday.

Acting senior sergeant Regan Price said poaching and unlawful hunting continues to be an ongoing issue across the wider southern district, not only for personal safety reasons but also for the flow on effect from the damage caused to the forestry and farmers’ properties.

“These two arrests are a pleasing result, and police will continue to work hard to hold offenders to account.”

He said hunting without explicit permission from a landowner, farmer, or forestry manager is illegal. On public conservation land, a Department of Conservation (DOC) permit is mandatory.

The men – aged 20 and 29 years, were bailed to appear in the Alexandra District Court on February 18.

Police urge anybody who has been a victim of poaching to make a report to Police via 105.

In 2024, Cromwell police also caught three hunters in the Lindis shooting a deer on private property and without permission.

Their animal was confiscated after the men lied about having permission, and claimed to be out of the boundary without realising it.

Central Otago police often receive phone calls from the public about suspicious activity in the lead up to the Roar.

Police could also seize vehicles used by offenders while hunting if they thought it was warranted.

During the Roar in particular, offenders start targeting properties, driving through gates and leaving them open for stock to escape, as well as disturbing the animals.

Meanwhile, Central Otago police attended several crashes in the area in the last week that have kept staff busy, and there will be more on that in our Central Beat later in the week.

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