Two men are facing serious assault charges after a 55-year-old man was shot on a Wellington beach early today.
Emergency services were called by Makara beach residents after the injured man went to their property for help about 5.15am, Detective Senior Sergeant John van den Heuvel said.
"He has been taken to Wellington Hospital by the Westpac Rescue helicopter where he remains in a serious but stable condition with non-life threatening injuries," he said.
"A short while [after the incident] a vehicle drove into a police cordon in Karori and two occupants were arrested in relation to this incident."
They have been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, Mr van den Heuvel said.
Police would be opposing any bail applications when the pair appeared in Wellington District Court tomorrow.
It was apparent the victim's injuries were caused by a shotgun, but police were yet to find the weapon, he said.
"I would appeal to anybody who saw or heard anything suspicious at Makara beach this morning, and in particular who saw a . . . dark blue 1990 Mitsubishi Mirage, to call police."
Officers had not yet been able to speak with the victim about the incident as he was undergoing surgery this afternoon.
It was still too early to say what prompted the shooting, Mr van den Heuvel said.
A scene examination was still being conducted at the beach and had extended the search area to "quite a distance south of the Makara settlement".
Police said they wanted to reassure the public the shooting was an isolated incident.
They asked anyone who had information in relation to the gun or the shooting to contact the Wellington Central Police station on 04 381 2000.
Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
- Rebecca Quilliam of APNZ
