Residents of a small Waikato township are shocked after the body of an Australian tourist was found in a stolen campervan after he was fatally shot in Waikato early this morning.
Phillip Matika lives under 100m from where the caravan was found on Puke Rd in Gordonton, north-east of Hamilton.
“It’s a shock for the local Gordonton community and it’s certainly a shock for the nation,” Mr Matika said.
“There are lots of things happening.”
A family member told him a body had been discovered so close to his home, Mr Matika said.
The man and his Canadian partner were asleep in the campervan in a carpark at Te Toto Gorge at Raglan when a person woke them up wanting the keys.
The man was then shot "more than once".
His partner, a Canadian woman, then ran for several kilometres seeking help.
Police say it was a random attack.
Police said they were called to "a serious incident" at 3.20am on Whaanga Road in Raglan.
Officers then located a stolen rental campervan around 80km away on Puke Rd at Gordonton, north-east of Hamilton, and found a body of a man inside.
Inspector Graham Pitkethley, of Waikato Police, said police wanted to hear from anyone who may have seen the vehicle this morning or have any information that can assist us.
Police believe the vehicle, a White 2017 Toyota Hiace ZL registration KWF362, travelled from Whaanga Road to Gordonton Road this morning, Mr Pitkethley said.
Stacey Davis from Apollo Rentals told 1 NEWS she was "aware of the incident involving one of our campers."
Based in Brisbane, she said the company was cooperating with authorities in New Zealand.
"Our thoughts are with families at this time," she said, adding she couldn't comment further while the investigation was ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Hamilton Police on 07 858 6200 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police are conducting inquiries to establish the circumstances, as well as working to inform the next of kin.
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