“Whatever happens to convince you that you need firearms to protect yourself, then you have to deal with that because it’s not a good situation all around.”

On June 19 this year, Hura, 37, posted a photo of himself holding a semi-automatic rifle on his Facebook page.

This was followed by a photo he posted on July 1 of himself holding a different style of rifle.

The posts led police to search his home, where they found an Eternal Arms .410 caliber rifle wrapped in his jacket in the lounge and eight rounds of ammunition for the firearm scattered on the kitchen table and throughout the property.

Police did not find the semi-automatic.

After his arrest, Hura admitted he had the gun and ammunition and told police “it was for protection because his house had been shot up several times.”

He did not disclose where he obtained the firearm or ammunition.

At the sentencing hearing, defense barrister Nathan Bourke told the judge that beyond having a gun and the dangers that come with it, there was nothing nefarious going on.

“It’s not drug related or anything, he said it was for protection because of some issues he was having,” Bourke said.

He argued that a starting point of 16 to 18 months in prison was appropriate, with an increase in Hura’s criminal history, which included offensive weapons but no firearms.

Bourke said Hura was then credited with the background factors that led to his “very reactive way of approaching things” and his genuine remorse described in his presentence report.

Hura also immediately pleaded guilty to the charges – possession of a firearm and ammunition – and has been in custody ever since.

Police prosecutor Detective Sergeant Dave McKenzie took no issue with the defence’s claims.

Judge Hikaka said Hura had a troubling history and this could be explained by reference to his past and the experiences he faced and had no control over as a child.

“Now, though… you’re in a position of agency, which means you can call upon the kinds of things you want to be involved in, the kinds of things you want to do with the rest of your life.”

He encouraged Hura to make better choices and pointed out what his future would look like if he continued his pattern of getting into trouble.

“And that’s not a bright future at all.”

Judge Hikaka took into account Hura’s background and earlier guilty pleas before sentencing him to 15 months in prison.

He erased his fines and gave him permission to apply for house arrest.

Tara Shaskey joined NZME in 2022 as News Director and Open Justice reporter. She has been a reporter since 2014 and previously worked at Stuff, covering crime and justice, arts and entertainment and Māori issues.