Police have found the body of a hunter mistakenly shot by his friend while hunting near Rotorua.

A man in his 30s, called police about 8am telling police that he had shot his friend and diverted them to the scene on Te Kopia Road in the Waikite Valley.

Police tonight named the dead man as James Dodds, aged 30, of Rotorua.

When the Armed Offenders Squad arrived the hunter told them he had shot his friend in the bush.

Police reached Mr Dodd's body this afternoon in very steep, rugged terrain off the Te Kopia Road in the Waikite Valley, but deteriorating weather conditions and a lowering cloud base meant a helicopter was unable to extract the body.

Rotorua Area Commander Bruce Horne said police were investigating the incident.

"The challenging location means it will be some time before we can piece together exactly what happened."

"However, based on the information we have at this stage, it appears that the shooting was accidental; and another tragic reminder of the absolute necessity for hunters to properly identify their target before they shoot."

The shooter was in a very distressed state, but was assisting police with the investigation, he said.

Police earlier reported the victim and shooter being in their 20s.

Police will guard the scene overnight and hope to remove the body tomorrow.

- © Fairfax NZ News