23 Feb 2024

Man shot by police in Matamata was 31-year-old Christopher Taukiri

6:43 pm on 23 February 2024

When officers arrived at the scene, the armed man was confronted, shot and critically injured. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Police have revealed the name of a man they shot dead in a small Waikato town last week.

Paeroa man Christopher Taukiri, 31, was killed in a standoff with police in Matamata on Thursday, 15 February.

He had allegedly led them on a chase from Hamilton after failing to stop his vehicle when asked, and presented a firearm.

Police said once in the Matamata area, 50km away, he crashed a stolen vehicle and fled into a home, where he threatened two parents and a child with a gun.

When officers arrived at the scene, the armed man was confronted, shot and critically injured.

"Officers immediately provided medical attention, however, he died a short time later," police said last week.

"A critical incident investigation into what happened remains ongoing," police said on Friday. The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified too.

They were still seeking footage or photos of the vehicles involved in the pursuit, including a silver Mazda MPV and a black BMW 120i, which crashed on McLaren Road.

Matamata-Piako deputy mayor James Thomas last week said it was a traumatic time for the tight-knit rural community.

"[It's a] tragedy that someone has lost their life but a tragedy that someone was basically held hostage."