The 36-year-old from Patearoa, in the Maniototo on New Zealand's south island, will appear in the Alexandra District Court on Tuesday.

A police spokesman said the charge was laid following an incident on May 2 at Patearoa when a 23-year-old was shot in the elbow.

A number of people had been driving in an all-terrain vehicle when as the ATV went over a rise, the victim fell off, along with two firearms.

"As the firearms hit the ground, one discharged and shot the man in the elbow."

It's not the first time Hore has been in trouble with the law over firearms.

In 2005, he was one of three men convicted and fined for shooting and killing a protected fur seal in New Zealand.

The group were on a fishing trip when they started shooting at a group of fur seals on the shore. The incident was caught on video by a group of tourists on a nearby beach.

The crime was described by Judge Peter Rollo as a "grossly irresponsible, spontaneous act of hooliganism". It was the first time anyone in New Zealand had been charged for the deliberate killing of a marine animal. The men were each fined $NZ2500.

In the same incident, Hore was also charged with a firearms offence for possessing a semi-automatic shotgun, but that charge was withdrawn by police.

Hore was a hooker for the All Blacks from 2002 until his retirement following the 2013 All Black Northern Hemisphere tour.

An unlicensed firearm holder could legally be in possession of a firearm, if they were accompanied by a licensed firearms holder who could take control of the firearm if need be, the spokesman said.

The police would not comment further on the case as it was before the court.

Stuff