Police have named the 44-year-old man shot dead by a police officer north of Wellington yesterday.
A police cordon at Mana Esplanade following the shooting: Several investigations are under way into the fatal shooting of Christopher Brown. Photo: RNZ / Emile Donovan
Christopher Wayne Brown, who lives in Porirua, was shot near the Mana Esplanade and died on the way to hospital.
Police were called to a domestic violence incident between a man and a woman in Waikanae about 11pm on Saturday.
Police were told the incident involved a knife, however the man drove off before officers arrived. Police found the woman was not harmed when they arrived.
Officers later sighted the man's vehicle in the area around the esplanade, about 35km south of Waikanae.
The Acting District Commander for Wellington, Superintendent Steve Kehoe, said at approximately 12.30am the man approached a police car, armed with a machete.
Mr Kehoe said early indications were that the officer, who was alone, responded by firing one shot, which hit the 44-year-old man in the shoulder.
He was given immediate first aid before ambulance staff arrived, but died on the way to hospital.
Several investigations are being carried out, including one by the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
Police said yesterday they were confident the officer was justified in his actions.
They said in a statement this afternoon they offered their condolences to Mr Brown's family.
