Ngai Tahu has probably got itself a worker for 60 hours after a Christchurch man shot a kereru - the native wood pigeon - over the road from his bach near Haast last year.
When Department of Conservation officers visited the Wainoni address of Tawheo Kawana Bowen, he produced the body of the bird from his freezer, Christchurch Court News website reported.
He said it had been a spur of the moment decision to shoot the absolutely protected native bird. Seeing it had reminded him of his childhood when his family lived off the land.
Bowen, a 68-year-old beneficiary, pleaded guilty in Christchurch District Court today to the charge of killing the protected bird.
He was seen crossing the road from his bach at Neils Beach carrying a firearm and three shots from a low-powered rifle were heard when he went into the bush.
The department was told of the incident and when staff checked they found the feathers, gut contents, and a kereru skull at two sites.
Prosecutor Dean van Mierlo said they then executed a search warrant on Bowen's Christchurch property. He initially denied shooting the bird but was then co-operative and produced it from his freezer.
Defence counsel Lauren Kerse said Bowen was remorseful and described himself as having a "brain explosion" when he decided to shoot the bird.
Judge Michael Crosbie said he was fortunate himself to live at a property where he could see kereru flying around almost every day.
He said the counsels' submissions had reminded him about being a New Zealander and how lucky we were with what was around us. "There are probably many who don't appreciate how special the kereru is."
He noted Bowen had three previous convictions for breaching the whitebaiting regulations.
He had written letters of apology to the department, Ngai Tahu, and the court.
He also noted the offence had a maximum penalty of six months' jail or a fine of $100,000.
"The message I take from that maximum penalty is that Parliament intended there to be a real protection for wildlife."
Declining defence counsel's suggestion of a suspended sentence, Judge Crosbie imposed 60 hours of community work and said he hoped the Probation Service could arrange a placement with Ngai Tahu that would use Bowen's skills.
He also ordered Bowen to pay costs of $1667 to the department.
