Residents of a Christchurch subdivision have condemned a duck hunting session that saw gunshots fired “every 20 seconds” for more than an hour, less than 40 metres from family homes.

The shooting took place in a market garden paddock adjacent to the Spring Grove subdivision on Thompsons Road in Belfast on Wednesday.

Belfast resident Jess Hazeldine, who witnessed the event, said the scene was devastating.

“Because these ducks are a well-loved part of our community and are regularly fed by local families, the birds were not fearful of humans,” Hazeldine said.

“Residents, including children and those walking dogs, were forced to witness ducks falling from the sky and having their necks snapped in full public view.”

A second resident, Karen Potter, who was inside her Thompsons Road home with her elderly mother when the shooting began, said she observed two to three individuals in the paddock directly opposite her property firing at Canadian geese, many of which appeared to be on the ground.

Shooting location: paddock next to Thompsons Road, Belfast. (supplied)

She said the only thing separating the shooters from surrounding homes was an overgrown and sparse poplar hedge.

Potter said she attempted to call police on the 105 number but was advised there were 11 callers ahead of her.

She submitted an online report and subsequently witnessed at least two police patrol vehicles attend the scene.

She has since written formally to Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey requesting urgent investigation and demanding that the property owner be advised of their legal obligations.

“Spring Grove is not an isolated rural location,” Potter wrote to Doocey.

“It is a densely populated residential subdivision with a multicultural community, including babies, young children, elderly residents, and numerous domestic animals.”

Hazeldine said she spoke directly with one of the hunters, who insisted his actions were legal because he had the farmer’s permission.

She said dogs were crying, children were left upset and confused, and dozens of residents watched in concern.

Under Section 48 of the Arms Act 1983, it is an offence punishable by up to six months imprisonment or a $10,000 fine to discharge a firearm in or near a dwellinghouse in a manner that annoys or frightens people, without reasonable excuse.

New Zealand law also requires duck hunters to shoot birds while on the wing.

Shooting birds on the ground would constitute a separate breach of Fish and Game regulations, regardless of where the shooting took place.

The paddock on Thompsons Road sits within Belfast’s rural zoning under the Christchurch District Plan, even as it borders a residential subdivision, a distinction that may complicate any legal action.

Belfast covers more than 1,300 hectares split between rural, urban, and industrial zoning.

A council spokesperson directed media questions to police.

A police spokesperson told chrislynchmedia.com “Police received a report of a group of people discharging firearms in the Spring Grove area at around 4.45pm on Wednesday 6 May.