A crossbow and swords were allegedly found at the camp of a
39-year-old Hamilton man arrested in Taupo on Wednesday,
following an armed offenders squad call out.
Chris Rawiri was deemed too violent to appear in court by
Judge James Weir, police and the duty solicitor.
He was charged with possession of an offensive weapon,
possession of cannabis, intentional damage, and an historic
burglary in Palmerston North and remanded in custody to
reappear in Taupo District Court on March 25.
Rawiri had been camping in bush near Karetoto Road in an area
known as Totara Gut in Wairakei Park, just north of Taupo. It
is near Huka Falls, one of New Zealand's most visited scenic
reserves.
A member of the public contacted the Department of
Conservation (DOC) to report he had come across a distraught
young couple, who said they'd been accosted by a man on a
DOC-managed track.
Taupo field centre supervisor Murray Cleaver said he found
Rawiri at a small beach on the Waikato River. His camp was
like a pa site.
Rotorua AOS members were called to help police arrest Rawiri.
Weapons, including a crossbow and swords, were located at the
camp.
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