Central Otago police stopped 40 vehicles over duck shooting weekend and carried out breath screening tests, with only one person caught drink driving.

Alexandra Police Senior Sergeant Graham Perkins said one man was stopped early on Saturday morning on his way to the maimai at Idaburn and had an excess breath alcohol reading of 654mcg.

Twelve speeding tickets were also issued and Otago Fish and Game checked seven ponds, reporting no concerns with alcohol, and only one breach of licence detected.

For the entire Otago and Southland area there were only three breaches overall and no injuries reported, with “mixed success” on the ponds.

“There was a lack of water in the Maniototo,” he said.

“We’re very pleased with people’s behaviour and everyone was responsible.”

Also on May 4, a Christchurch man was processed for drink driving (789mcg) after an ATV accident on a farm at Wedderburn.

Police and St John were called to the property after a passenger broke his leg when the bike started to tip and he put his foot out.

He was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital, and Snr Sgt Perkins said emergency services will also ring police in situations like that, when an injury occurs on private property in a vehicle, and they can undergo breath screening tests.

The day before, on May 3, police were called to a business in Ranfurly after a person with a firearm was reported to them by a member of the public. Police identified and seized an air rifle, which was removed from the premises.

In Cromwell, on May 4, a small Fuso tip truck was reported stolen by the owner, who had left his keys inside.

The truck was located on Pinot Noir Drive later that day and police found a distinctive baseball cap inside. It was currently being DNA tested to identify the offender. 

And, back in Alexandra on the same day, a man on home detention who was allowed out for one hour of fitness, decided he’d also take himself to the kebab shop for dinner.

Police were alerted when they realised he was outside of his dedicated route. He was arrested and given a date to appear in the Queenstown District Court.

He was released with a ‘certified breach’ of his electronic monitoring conditions.