The gang member shot in Foxton yesterday was related to a prominent gang leader whose funeral was held in the town the same day, police say.
The 25-year-old Nomad associate was found in a car outside a payphone in Foxton after being shot in the leg and hand yesterday afternoon following the tangi for his relative, 55-year-old Dennis Hines.
He was believed to have been shot and driven to the payphone in Union Street where a call was made to emergency services.
He was airlifted to Hutt Hospital where he underwent surgery.
He remained under guard in the hospital today and was decribed as being in a serious but stable condition.
Hines, a former Black Power member and Nomads founder, was believed to have died of natural causes in Waikeria Prison in Te Awamatu on Sunday.
He was sentenced to 5-1/2 years jail in 2005 for conspiring to supply methamphetamine.
The shooting victim was reportedly released from jail a couple of months ago after serving two years and three months for aggravated robbery.
Police Central Districts spokeswoman Kim Perks told NZPA today there had been "insufficient co-operation" to be sure where the shooting occurred or what was behind it.
"Obviously the funeral was yesterday and the shooting was yesterday... and obviously he is a relative, but that's about as far as the link goes. Police had spoken briefly to the victim.
There was a large number of people at the funeral, including significant numbers of gang associates, Ms Perks said.
The car the victim was found in was a mid to late 90s model Holden Calais with the registration number UI2626.
It was two-tone in colour, with a blue upper half and silver lower half.
Police would like to hear from anyone with information.
