Investigation into alleged shooting day
Auckland Council is investigating complaints after an alleged shooting event took place at a property aligned with the Auckland Shooting Club. The gun club’s Certificate of Compliance (CoC) to operate was revoked by Auckland Council, with a resource consent not yet in place.
‘‘Our Regulatory Compliance unit received information suggesting that a competition was held at the site over the weekend,’’ manager regulatory compliance, Steve Pearce advised. ’’We are currently investigating these allegations and will decide what action we will take once we have collected all of the relevant evidence.’’
‘‘The level of noise and traffic activity that I have heard and seen at the event is equal to or higher than when the certificate of compliance was in place,’’ neighbour Lesley Rowntree said.
Shooting is permitted in rural areas so, even without a certificate, owners Raymond O’Brien and Victoria Pichler can shoot, and invite friends to shoot at their property. But neighbours believe the shooting day on October 7, that saw around 40 vehicles in the car park and heavy shooting from around 10am for six hours, was the same ticketed event advertised on the Precision Shooter Society website, and cost participants up to $65.
The shoot location was not given on the website. Described as on the Kaipara Coast around 45 minutes from central Auckland with participants able to stop in at the Kaukapakapa Pub on the way back, competitors were to receive location details via email.
While acknowledging there were a lot of cars on his property on Saturday, O’Brien is adamant no competition shooting took place.
‘‘There was no paid event there. I don’t know who told you that but they were lying,’’ he said. ‘‘Precision Shooters has nothing to do with us.’’
O’Brien and Pichler currently have a resource consent application with council for the club. Pearce advised the consent was ‘‘currently suspended’’ waiting further information.
Shooting has continued at the property on a daily basis since the CoC was revoked - even when the owners of the property were overseas, residents say.
Comments on the New Zealand Hunting and Shooting website suggest Auckland Shooting Club members have permission to still use the Makarau property, but that no events can be held.