Thames shooting: Girls left traumatised

Vaughan Te Moananui was given CPR before St John Ambulance staff took him away on a stretcher.

A Thames mother is begging for help for counselling for her two young daughters after they witnessed their uncle being shot dead by police.

Genevieve Simpson said the shooting in Thames last month, occurred at her house.

The girl's uncle, Vaughan Te Moananui, was shot dead.

She said her four and seven year old daughters as well as her, were directly in the line of fire and had armed offenders squad officers pointing guns at them, leaving the girls traumatised.

Listen to the interview with Newstalk ZB's Danny Watson here:

She said her youngest in particular talked about people coming to shoot them, is startled by any noise and doesn't like being left alone.

Their grandfather fears for his grand-daughters after they witnessed the shooting.

Chris Simpson said the four-year-old was so traumatised she has to take someone to bed with her and can't even go to the toilet without someone beside her.

He said they were also concerned for the seven-year-old, fearing she may develop mental health problems or an attitude to police.

Mr Simpson said, despite that, they've been told there's no funding available for counselling for the children.

Four investigations are underway into the shooting.