Police seize 31 firearms following North Canterbury illegal hunting investigation

Monday 3 November 2025 · 6 outlets · 5 reports · updated Mon 3 Nov 2025, 12:23pm

Police have seized 31 firearms and suspended six licences after investigating an illegal hunting network in North Canterbury. The investigation, prompted by shots fired near a Cheviot home, alleges that licence holders supplied weapons to unlicensed hunters and attempted to mislead authorities.

How they headlined it

11:02am12:03pm

1. The Post via The PressMon 3 Nov 2025, 11:02am

   Police bust illegal North Canterbury hunting ring, seize 31 guns (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab)

2. StuffMon 3 Nov 2025, 11:16am

   Shots near home spark probe into illegal hunting, multiple firearms seized in Canterbury (opens in new tab)

3. 1NewsMon 3 Nov 2025, 12:03pm

   Illegal hunting operation leads to seizure of haul of guns, 6 arrests (opens in new tab)

4. NZ HeraldMon 3 Nov 2025, 12:05pm

   North Canterbury illegal hunting probe sees 31 firearms seized, six licences suspended (opens in new tab)

5. RNZMon 3 Nov 2025, 12:23pm

   More than 30 guns seized, licenses suspended after illegal hunting police probe in North Canterbury (opens in new tab)