Shot man had three weapons: police

Police at the scene of today's shooting in Pt Chevalier. Photo / NZPA

Were you at the scene?
Email the Herald Newsdesk

Police have shot an armed man in the Auckland suburb of Pt Chevalier.

Police say the man was armed with a meat cleaver and two other knives when he advanced on police who were observing him while waiting for the Armed Offenders Squad to attend.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said this afternoon that he had been taken to hospital with gunshot wounds after the shooting at 1pm.

The 36-year-old - believed to be actor Rob Mokoraka - is now in a stable condition at Auckland Hospital after he was shot.

Rob Mokaraka's agent refused to speak about him tonight, telling the Herald they first had to speak to their client.

His flatmate Linda Turner was shocked by what happened. She said he was acting normally over the last few days and was "usually a placid guy".

It's understood he had just separated from his girlfriend but Ms Turner thought he was coping all right.

Police have not yet named the man, who spent three hours in surgery while doctors removed a bullet from a chest wound.

It is believed that he was the sole occupant of the house at the time of the incident.

The address has been cordoned off and a scene examination is expected to continue for several days.

Auckland City District Commander, Superintendent George Fraser, said the Armed Offender's Squad was in the process of being deployed from Auckland Central Police Station when the man left the house he had been contained in and advanced on Police.

"A taser and qualified operator had also been requested to attend the incident and was en route at the time of the shooting," Mr Fraser said.

"A 111 call requesting Police attendance was made from a neighbouring address when the caller expressed concerns for his safety. We are investigating who made that call and what exactly happened at the address before and while Police were there."

Police have located several members of the man's family and have spoken with witnesses to the shooting.

Neighbours earlier the Herald that the man was armed with a meat cleaver. A knife of some sort can be seen outside a house on the street.

Police spokesperson Noreen Hegarty said police were called to the house by a neighbour. The Armed Offenders Squad was called but police shot the man before they arrived.

"The scene and all weapons involved have been secured. Police Dog Section cleared the house the injured man came from and it's believed he was the only occupant of it at the time of the shooting," Ms Hegarty said.

Neighbours told the Herald that they heard a loud single shot.

She said the police complaints authority had been told of the shooting and a police investigation was under way.

The officers immediately involved in the shooting will not be required to work until deemed fit for duty.

- NZHERALD STAFF

View Larger Map