Kiwi shot by Brisbane police - reports

File photo / NZ Herald

A 42-year-old man shot dead by police officers in a lengthy stand-off in Brisbane is believed to be a New Zealander.

Australian media reports state police spent almost four hours negotiating with the man yesterday. He was holed up in a car with a handgun and refused to leave.

Police shot him when he threatened officers, according to the Courier Mail.

Queensland police union president Ian Leavers told the ABC officers were acting in self-defence.

"That is the difficult and dangerous nature of police work," he said.

"Things happen so quickly. You have to make instantaneous decisions, there are no other options."