Coroner rules Dunedin hunter's death a terrible accident

Monday 1 December 2025 · 8 outlets · 6 reports · updated Mon 1 Dec 2025, 7:42am

In this story Mary-Anne Borrowdale

A coroner has ruled that 48-year-old Kate Aynsley died in a terrible accident while hunting in Otago's Blue Mountains Conservation Area in June 2023. It is believed her rifle accidentally discharged after she fell or fumbled in steep, slippery terrain.

How they headlined it

4:45am5:31am7:42am

1. Waikato Times via The PressMon 1 Dec 2025, 4:45am

   An adventurous spirit, living life to its fullest – hunter’s death was ‘terrible accident’ (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab), The Post (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldMon 1 Dec 2025, 5:00am

   Dunedin hunting death ruled a tragic accident, coroner says (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesMon 1 Dec 2025, 5:00am

   Dunedin hunter’s death ‘a terrible accident’ (opens in new tab)

4. StuffMon 1 Dec 2025, 5:00am

   ‘Kate was amazing’: Beloved hunter killed in accidental shooting (opens in new tab)

5. RNZMon 1 Dec 2025, 5:31am

   Dunedin woman fatally shot herself in head while deer hunting (opens in new tab)

6. 1News via RNZMon 1 Dec 2025, 7:42am

   Dunedin woman's hunting death a terrible accident – coroner (opens in new tab)