Police were justified in shooting a man seven times after he threatened them with firearms in 2014, the Independent Police Complaints Authority (IPCA) has found.
The car the man got out before pointing a rifle at the officers. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
The man, who was 50 at the time, survived but suffered serious injuries.
Police had been called by the man's partner who told them he had held a sawn-off shotgun to her head and threatened to shoot her.
He left the Kerepehi address in Waikato with the woman before police arrived but he was stopped nearby.
The authority said the man stepped out of his car and pointed a rifle towards two officers.
Fearing they were going to be shot at the officers fired a total of seven shots at the man, incapacitating him.
IPCA chair Judge David Carruthers said the officers were justified in shooting the man because he posed a very real threat of death or serious bodily harm to them and other officers nearby.
He said other tactical options were not viable or appropriate.
"Police responded appropriately to this incident as it developed and provided all reasonable assistance to the man after he was shot," Sir David said.
Waikato Police District Commander Superintendent Greg Nicholls said police at the scene were confronted with a "very difficult situation".
"The officers did not want to shoot the man and other tactical options were considered, but given the risk he posed, they were left with no other option," Mr Nicholls said.
