A man is undergoing surgery after being injured in a shoot-out with police near the Waikato town of Paeroa.
Photo of the car involved. The scene has been preserved as it was for investigation. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
Police were called to a domestic incident at the rural settlement of Kerepihi at about 9.50pm.
Police said a 50-year-old man fled in a car with a woman and police followed him and, using road spikes stopped him about 300 metres from his home.
Acting superintendent Greg Nicholls said the man then fired at officers who returned fire, shooting him several times.
The shot man was taken to Waikato Hospital by helicopter in a critical condition but was described as stable before he went into surgery.
About 5km of State Highway 2 was closed to traffic while the police carried out a scene examination.
Acting Waikato district commander Greg Nicholls at media conference outside Paeroa police station. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
Three investigations into the shooting were under way.
Detectives will carry out a criminal investigation and, separately, a senior officer from outside the district will investigate the police response and whether correct protocols were followed.
And the Independent Police Conduct Authority automatically investigates any police shooting.
Arming police not on radar
Police Association President, Greg O'Connor said the incident near Paeroa last night highlighted the need for frontline officers to be armed.
But new Police Minister, Michael Woodhouse said arming frontline police officers was not something on his radar.
Speaking at the Police Association's annual conference in Wellington today, Mr Woodhouse said officers already had the tools to deal with dangerous situations.
He said he had not seen any compelling evidence to change his mind.
"I don't believe there is a case to have all police officers carrying guns, i'm just open to the discussion,
"The Police Association will inevitably raise it with me and i will listen very carefully, but as this stage I don't believe there is a case for change."
