A man shot by in the face by police in Christchurch has been charged with pointing a gun at officers.
Police Photo: RNZ
The 24-year-old was treated and discharged from hospital after the incident in Woolston about 2am.
He was in custody and will appear in the Christchurch District Court on Monday.
A 37-year-old man has been charged with possessing drug utensils.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority will investigate the Saturday night incident.
Officers acted 'appropriately'
Officers were responding to a report of suspicious behaviour on the corner of St Marks Street and St Lukes Street.
Police said the officers found a vehicle with two people inside and recognised one of the occupants.
They said the man pointed a firearm at officers, shots were fired by police and the man received a minor to moderate facial wound to his cheek.
The injured man did not fire any shots.
He was given first aid and taken to Christchurch Hospital. No officers were injured.
Superintendent Lane Todd said earlier that everything he knew led him to conclude the officers acted "appropriately, professionally and in accordance with their policy".
"It is completely unacceptable for anyone to present a firearm to police officers," he said.
"My understanding at this stage is that the two initial police officers walked to the vehicle, and started an initial early discussion with the occupants of the vehicle and that's allegedly when the firearm was presented a short time after that. So they had very little time to react."
