Bay of Plenty Coroner Wallace Bain is calling for manslaughter charges to be laid when hunters kill people because their targets have not been properly identified.

Wallace is currently investigating the deaths of 27-year-old Carlos Ngamoki, who was fatally shot in a hunting incident near Te Kaha, and 11-year-old Conor Phillips, who was killed while hunting near Rotorua.

Two people have been killed in the Bay of Plenty recently as a result of hunting incidents. Photo: File.

Since 2007, Wallace has asked the government three times to review gun laws across New Zealand, but his plea has been ignored.

He also recommends the more serious charge of manslaughter in all cases when hunters kill people because their targets have not been properly identified.

The deaths have prompted a warning from police urging hunters and shooters to make sure that firearm safety is their top priority.

'These incidents are a tragic reminder of the risks and the potential for things to go very wrong, very quickly, whenever handling firearms, and our thoughts are with the families of those who have lost loved ones,” says National Manager Response and Operations, Superintendent Chris Scahill.

'That's why both police and the Mountain Safety Council are urging everyone going hunting or shooting to take particular care and ensure they follow the firearms safety rules whenever heading into the outdoors.

'And with the improving weather and longer daylight hours, many others, including trampers, walkers and track workers, are also out and about, so it's incumbent on all firearms users to ensure the safe and responsible use of any firearm, as the last thing we want is to be dealing with another tragedy.

'This includes following basic but vital safety practices, such as treating every firearm as loaded, pointing firearms in a safe direction, only loading when ready to fire, and identifying your target beyond all doubt.

'We want everyone to continue to enjoy the outdoors this summer without any further incidents.”