By Laura Frykberg
The partner of a man shot dead by his mate while hunting has posted an emotional tribute to him online.
James Dodds, 30, was fatally shot in the remote bush in the Waikete Valley south of Rotorua early this morning.
Facebook photos of Mr Dodds paint a picture of a man who loved the outdoors, but tragically it was one of those outdoor activities which claimed his life when he was shot and killed by a fellow hunter.
His partner Gabrielle Molloy is paying tribute to him on the social networking site.
“Today the love of my life James "Dodzy" Dodds lost his life in a tragic accident,” she says.
“He was the most inspiring, loving, caring, clever human being I have ever met and I am so privileged to have spent nearly nine wonderful years with him.
“I will miss him with my entire being.”
Rotorua area commander Insp Bruce Horne says the two men were hunting in the dense bush when the incident happened.
“It was first reported to us by a hunter on cell phone, that person reported that there had been an accident, and that he had fatally shot a hunting partner,” says Mr Horne.
It took search and rescue staff most of the day to locate Mr Dodd’s body in steep, rugged terrain. Attempts to retrieve it by air and foot failed.
A small team will stay with the body until tomorrow, when it is expected to be brought out from the bush.
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