The following statement is from a media stand-up held at 2pm.
Please attribute to Superintendent Steve Kehoe, Acting District Commander, Wellington.
At approximately 11pm last night Police were called to a domestic incident in Waikanae, on the Kapiti Coast.
Police were told it concerned a man and a woman, and that a knife was involved.
Before Police arrived, the man has left the scene in a vehicle.
Police were given a description of the man and were told that he had a knife with him.
Staff then attended the address of the domestic incident, where the woman was not harmed.
At the same time, other Police units sought to find the man.
His vehicle was located further south around the Mana Esplanade.
At approximately 12.30am the man approached a patrol car with a machete.
Subsequently, for their safety, Police at the scene responded with a firearm.
Early indications are that the man was shot in the shoulder by Police.
At this stage, the information I have is that a single shot was fired.
However, the exact details will be explored as part of several investigations being carried out, including one by the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
The man was immediately given first aid at the scene by Police and paramedics were called.
The 44-year-old man was taken to Wellington Hospital by ambulance.
He died on his way to hospital.
We are speaking with the man’s family and are providing support to them.
Police have been conducting a scene examination around the area where the man was shot.
As well as recovering a machete, separately an air rifle was recovered from the vehicle driven by the man.
This was a confronting situation for the Police involved, and they are being supported by Wellington Police District staff.
Using a firearm is a last resort for Police. Staff come to work every day to help people and make a difference in society.
However, some incidents require Police to act and respond appropriately to threats to them and the community.
ENDS
Police Media Centre