A horse killed after it was hit by a car on a street in central Wellington had come from a nearby marae, leaving the owner distraught.
Central police communications shift manager Dave Rose said police received reports this morning that a person was riding a horse along Adelaide Rd, in the suburb of Newtown, about 6.15am.
"We located that person, spoke to him and directed him to take that horse back to the grazing area in Island Bay where he had come from."
Mr Rose said police received another report shortly afterwards, notifying them that there had been a crash involving the horse and a car, and the animal had been killed.
Mr Rose said police were unsure as to whether the rider was on the horse at the time of the accident. However, no-one had sustained any injuries as a result of the crash. There was "substantial damage" to the car.
The horse named Te Haa was owned by Mere Takoko and grazed at Tapu Te Ranga marae.
Speaking on behalf of her friend today, Maraea Rakuraku said she is distraught and distressed at what has happened.
Ms Rakuraku said the animal was taken from her paddock by one of three carers early this morning "without Mere's consent and without Mere knowing''.
The horse was never taken out that early and "a really bad decision'' was made by that person, she said.
"He's feeling it too, he had care of Te Haa .. It has had such a terrible terrible impact."
Ms Rakuraku said she was unsure as to where the horse would be buried.
"We are working the practicalities of that out today. Everyone is still pretty distraught because it has impacted upon the whole community. Te Haa was very loved."
Police worked with the Wellington City Council to remove the horse from the road using a digger and a flat bed truck.
A police spokesman said they were continuing to investigate.
The man could be charged with an infringement offence under the Land and Transport Act, he said.
