Activists are not happy about a Central Otago tradition that sees 10,000 rabbits shot every year.

Activists have labelled an annual Easter tradition as "cruel" and "nothing short of a massacre".

The Central Otago Great Easter Bunny Hunt has seen up to 10,000 rabbits shot in previous years and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) is not happy about it.

Peta associate director of campaigns Ashley Fruno said the hunt will only "exacerbate problems" with rabbit numbers in the region and doesn't provide a long-term solution.

Liz Wright The results of last year's Easter Bunny Hunt in Central Otago.

"In any kind of animal slaughter, families are torn apart and orphaned young are left vulnerable to starvation, dehydration, and attacks by other animals.

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"The Easter Bunny Hunt is nothing short of a massacre."

Fruno argued the mass cull could backfire as it created a spike in food supply, prompted accelerated breeding and encouraged more animals to move into the area.

Event convenor Dave Ramsay preferred not to comment directly on Peta's concerns but said the event was a family event to "help farmers with a problem" and allow young people to be taught about firearms safety.

Ramsay expected less than 10,000 rabbits to be culled between Good Friday and Saturday morning with 22 teams being down on previous years.

"We think the pending release of the latest model virus has had an impact on our farmers [providing land for the hunt]," he said.

If approved by the Environment Protection Authority the country would get 350 doses of RHDV1 K5, a Korean strain of the existing RHDV1 virus - a rabbit haemorrhagic disease - later this year.

Some places were still "pretty highly affected" by rabbits, especially in the Ida Valley and in the areas surrounding Wanaka where shooters would have the best chance, Ramsay said.

Hunters had come from as far as New Plymouth to participate this year and some Canadian tourists were also involved, Ramsay said.

The event, organised by the Alexandra Lions Club, had run for over 25 years as a community fundraising initiative.

The count would be completed at Pioneer Park, Alexandra on Saturday morning.

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