Five people have been arrested after eight deer were targeted with a vehicle in the upper South Island.
A stag was struck and killed in the incident along Marsden Valley Rd near Nelson about 3am on March 30.
Police allege the animals were targeted deliberately and a video of the incident was posted online.
Police searched several properties across Nelson and arrested five people from the city allegedly involved in the incident.
A 20-year-old man was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, reckless driving, reckless ill-treatment of a wild animal, and unlawful hunting.
A 19-year-old man was charged with unlawful hunting and reckless ill-treatment of a wild animal.
The men are set to appear in the Nelson District Court on April 29.
Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man was set to appear in court on May 20, charged with unlawful hunting. Two 16-year-olds were referred to Youth Aid.
Police thanked members of the community for bringing the video of the incident to their attention.
