A large police team is investigating the fatal shooting of an armed woman who held a man hostage at a store in Whangarei on Thursday.
It was the first time the Armed Offenders Squad has shot a woman.
Police describe the incident as tragic for all concerned.
The woman entered the Vodafone store in Reyburn Street store about 9am and took a man hostage.
Acting Northland police chief, Detective Inspector Chris Scahill told Morning Report the use of force was necessary
Earlier, he said she was challenged twice by armed police and was shot when she pointed her firearm at the officers.
The weapon was an air-rifle.
Her name is yet to be released as she has no immediate family members in New Zealand. Police are trying to locate her family through Interpol.
A post mortem will be held on Friday.
