Hunting for chocolate eggs is popular Easter event, but in New Zealand it was bunnies in the firing line at an annual rabbit-shooting event in one district where they are regarded as pests.

Ten thousand rabbits were shot by more than 300 hunters in 27 teams during the 24-hour "bunny hunt," which began on Good Friday. Among the hunters were a few ferrets, according to organizer Eugene Ferreira.

Ferreira, 49, president of the Alexandra Lions Club, said the event had been running annually for 25 years in the Central Otago district, and was organized after rabbits — an introduced species — developed immunity to poison.