![\"Scene](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JURIKJ_Image_jfif.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n
Photo: RNZ\/Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n
Family and friends of a man who died in a shooting in Wait\u0101rere Beach<\/a> gathered outside the property today.<\/p>\n A man, identified by his sister as 60-year-old Benjamin Harry Timmins, was found dead and three others with gunshot wounds<\/a> following the shooting on Wednesday in the lower North Island township.<\/p>\n A 46-year-old woman and two males aged 17 and 21 remain critically wounded in Wellington Hospital<\/a>.<\/p>\n A young girl who was at the scene of the shooting on Wednesday is being cared for by family.<\/p>\n \n60-year-old Benjamin Harry Timmins. Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the shooting.<\/p>\n There were hugs and tears from those gathered outside the property today, which is still cordoned off by police.<\/p>\n They huddled under umbrellas, and there was karakia.<\/p>\n Speaking to RNZ afterwards, Timmins’ sister Rachel O’Grady<\/a> said she did not believe he could have hurt anyone.<\/p>\n “He was the calm one in the family.”<\/p>\n She said he always said “‘there’s nothing that can’t be fixed with a cup of tea'”.<\/p>\n \n Photo: RNZ\/Mark Papalii\n<\/p>\n O’Grady said the family had been under intense pressure in the last year, and she had feared it was coming to a crisis.<\/p>\n “But nothing like this.”<\/p>\n The body of Timmins was due to be removed from the property today and taken to the mortuary in Palmerston North ahead of a post-mortem on Friday.<\/p>\n This morning, RNZ reported police seized a dismantled a gun, parts and ammunition from the property a few hours before returning after a 111 call to find Timmins dead and three others with gunshot wounds.<\/p>\n The person who had contacted police did not speak, and officers believe the call had been made by the child<\/a>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, police also confirmed they responded to a family harm-related incident at the property last Friday.<\/p>\n \nRachel O’Grady and Benjamin Timmins. Timmins was arrested and charged with two counts of assault on a person in a family relationship and had been scheduled to appear in court on 14 January – the day of the fatal shooting.<\/p>\n In 1996, Timmins was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm, and then convicted again in 2019, on three charges of cultivation of cannabis, unlawful possession of ammunition and theft.<\/p>\n An appeal in 2024 was partly successful, with the conviction for unlawful possession of ammunition set aside.<\/p>\n Manawat\u016b area commander Inspector Ross Grantham said the scene examination could extend into the weekend.<\/p>\n “We will continue to guard the scene and the public within the community can expect to see a more heavy police presence there than they normally would,” he said.<\/p>\n Where to get help:<\/p>\n Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason<\/p>\n Lifeline<\/a>: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357 Depression Helpline<\/a>: 0800 111 757 or text 4202<\/p>\n Samaritans<\/a>: 0800 726 666<\/p>\n Youthline<\/a>: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz<\/p>\n What’s Up<\/a>: 0800 WHATSUP \/ 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds<\/p>\n Asian Family Services<\/a>: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, and English.<\/p>\n Rural Support Trust Helpline<\/a>: 0800 787 254 Rainbow Youth<\/a>: (09) 376 4155<\/p>\n OUTLine<\/a>: 0800 688 5463<\/p>\n![\"Benjamin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JURP5G_Timmins_final_1_jpg.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\nPhoto: Supplied\n<\/p>\n![\"Scene](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JURIK7_Image_1_jfif.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Rach](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JURSHE_pair_jpg.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\nPhoto: Facebook \/ Rach O’Grady\n<\/p>\n
\nSuicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 \/ 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends<\/p>\n
\nHealthline: 0800 611 116<\/p>\n