A man who accidentally shot dead his son during a hunting trip to Stewart Island in New Zealand was discharged without conviction during an emotion-charged sentencing on Tuesday.

Stephen Phillip Long, 61, admitted in May to carelessly using a firearm causing the death of his 24-year-old son Samuel Phillip Long on March 23.

Stephen Long shot his son Samuel on a hunting trip. Credit:Fairfax NZ

In the Invercargill District Court on Tuesday, Judge Bernadette Farnan, who broke down with emotion when reading victim impact statements, discharged Mr Long without conviction and ordered the destruction of his rifle.

Mr Long's family and supporters were in the public gallery, with tears shed by some during the lengthy sentencing, while an emotional Mr Long hugged his loved ones when it was over.