Shot man popular, devoted father, family say

Slain South Auckland man James Te Aute was a devoted father of three, his family said today.

Mr Te Aute was shot dead early on Wednesday morning in a night of violence which began in the small Hauraki plains township of Pipiroa several hours earlier and ended when a gunman surrendered to police at daybreak on Wednesday.

Today the dead man's uncle, David Roberts, said Mr Te Aute was a forthright person who would have had an enquiring mind about the gunman's actions moments before he was shot in the carpark of the Highland Park shopping complex in the Auckland suburb of Pakuranga.

"James was well liked. His personality was open to people -- very forthcoming," Mr Roberts said.

He said during the ups and downs of Mr Te Aute's life, his relationship with his family, and his love and devotion to his three children aged eight, four and 18 months was unquestioned.

Mr Roberts was reluctant to discuss the shooting but said the family could only speculate what happened moments before Mr Te Aute was shot.

He said Mr Te Aute would have been curious about what the gunman was doing.

It is thought Mr Te Aute and two others got out of their car about 12.45am and words were exchanged with Antonie Dixon.

Dixon has been charged with Mr Te Aute's murder, kidnapping, aggravated burglary and shooting at police and will reappear in Manukau District Court next week.

Police said he was likely to face more charges over the sword attack on two women in Pipiroa.

He said Mr Te Aute's partner Julie Cropley was coping well and getting a lot of support from extended family.

James' aunt Margaret Roberts said the couple's three children had spent a lot of time with their father since his body was returned to the family.

- NZPA