Media Statement from the family of Cam McDonald

The following statement can be attributed to Cam McDonald's parents Ranald and Cyndy McDonald and brother Jonathan, following the sentencing this morning of Christopher Dummer in the Wellington District Court on a charge of careless use of a firearm causing death, where he was sentenced to nine months imprisonment.

'Cam was a much loved son, brother, nephew and friend to all who knew him.

His life was taken far too early when he was fatally shot while hunting with a friend in the Aorangi Forest Park in the Wairarapa at Easter weekend - the 7th of April 2012.

Cam fitted a huge amount into his 29 years but was killed before he could fulfill his dreams. Cam was well on the way to having a successful life.

He was an extremely hard worker and had his own successful business as a builder for several years in Auckland. Ever since he was a child, Cam dreamed of being a builder. He never wanted to do anything else.

He was the elder brother and best friend to Jonathan and much loved son of Ranald and Cyndy.

He was born in Wanganui before the family moved to Auckland when Cam was a preschooler. He then attended St Kentigans and later St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton.

Cam was a huge giver and with his wonderful personality and laugh everyone loved him. You couldn’t find a nicer or more caring person than Cam.

He had a wide circle of friends and the love for Cam was clear at his funeral, where friends from Australia, London and Singapore made the journey to say their last goodbyes to him.

Cam would have been 30 on the 10th of May this year. He had already planned his 30th birthday party. We carried on with his plans and held a party in his honour, with his friends returning from Australia to celebrate his life.

Cam loved the outdoors and fishing and hunting were two of his great passions.

Our family is still deeply grieving for Cam. We still cannot understand how Mr Chris Dummer, an experienced hunter and past president of the Wellington Deer Stalkers Association and mountain safety firearms instructor could shoot another hunter while in a clearing at a range of 16 metres - the length of a Wellington bus.

We never ever want this to happen to any other family. All hunters have to be accountable to the Mountain Safety Council's firearms safety code which includes identifying the target beyond all doubt. All gun holders should be aware of this. This rule is part of the theory for a gun licence and Mr Dummer did not do this. Mr Dummer broke every rule he taught and knew.

We never want another family to suffer like the McDonald family has.

Cam, we love and miss you so much.'