Fatal motorway shooting report completed

Halatau Naitoko was shot by police in January 2009. Photo / supplied

Police are considering the Independent Police Conduct Authority's report into the shooting of Auckland father Halatau Naitoko.

Mr Naitoko, 17, died on January 23, 2009, when he was hit by a bullet intended for Stephen McDonald and fired by members of the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS).

McDonald had led police on an hour-long chase which concluded with the shooting on the northwestern motorway. He was later convicted and sentenced to 13 years after he admitted 23 charges, including firing at police, possessing a firearm, aggravated robbery and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle.

Independent Police Conduct Authority chairwoman Justice Lowell Goddard today released a statement saying it had completed a detailed investigation into the death of Mr Naitoko and the wounding of another innocent bystander, Richard Neville, as well as McDonald.

The authority's report was with Police Commissioner Peter Marshall, who had until March 9 to respond to it.

"The circumstances of Mr Naitoko's death were tragic and his loss remains a source of huge grief for his family," Justice Goddard said.

"I have personally kept in regular contact with his mother and other family throughout this extensive investigation and have been acutely aware of their need for resolution to this case."

Coroner Gordon Matenga last August strongly criticised police in his ruling on Mr Naitoko's death, saying he was greatly concerned officers had missed their intended target with four shots from a range of 7-9m.

As well, the failure of an officer "to appreciate what was within the line of fire indicates to me a need for further training, and an acknowledgement by AOS that experience matters".