Police are searching for an "extremely dangerous" man believed to be behind a fatal shooting on Auckland's Ponsonby Road.
A section of Ponsonby Road, between Richmond Road and Franklin has now reopened. Police are continuing to patrol the area.
Detective Inspector Chris Barry said emergency services responded to reports of a gun being fired outside an address on Ponsonby Road about 10.20pm on Sunday.
"Around 10.15pm, a group of four people, including the victim, exited a parked car on Ponsonby Road and walked in the man's direction," Barry said.
He said multiple shots had been fired and police later found the victim dead at the scene.
Detective Inspector Chris Barry holds an image of a man he says police are seeking in connection with the fatal shooting in Ponsonby. Photo: RNZ / Screenshot
The group of people who were with the victim at the time of the shooting were co-operating with investigators and were "very upset", he said.
Barry said it was difficult to say whether the multiple shots fired were targeting one person or various people, as the scene examination was still under way.
Police are now hunting a person who they say is extremely dangerous and that members of the public should not approach him.
"If you see him or know who he is, please phone 111 immediately."
Anyone concealing his identity or whereabouts could find themselves facing prosecution, Barry said.
Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro
The man is described as being of large build, with dark hair and facial hair, and has a large tattoo on his left forearm.
"Earlier on Sunday evening, this man tried to enter a bar on Ponsonby Road, however was denied entry as it was closing."
The time between the suspect being denied entry and the shooting was a matter of minutes, he said.
After the shooting, he was seen walking south on Ponsonby Road, in direction of Richmond Road.
The motivation behind the shooting was not yet clear, Barry said.
"You can be certain we will piece together why this shocking incident occurred last night."
Police examiners at a section of Ponsonby Road amid a homicide investigation, on 6 May, 2024. Photo: RNZ / Maia Ingoe
It was difficult to say yet if the shooting was gang related, Barry said.
Police were aware of the concerns in the community due to the incident.
"We know unease in the community, particularly as police have not yet made an arrest. However, we would like to reassure Ponsonby residents and the wider community that a dedicated police team are working diligently to hold this person to account," Barry said.
Leonie Hynds, who has lived in Ponsonby for 30 years, said the fatal shooting was disturbing news for the community.
"These sort of things seem to be happening more and more around New Zealand, particularly Auckland. The worrying part is the guns."
She said she walked down Ponsonby Road most mornings and hoped the man involved was found.
Police detectives on Ponsonby Road after reports of a death there. Photo: Finn Blackwell
A post-mortem and formal identification of the man found dead will be carried out over the coming days.
Police scene guards are expected to be stood down later on Monday afternoon, but a police presence will remain in the area.
Police at the scene of a cordon after a reported death on Ponsonby Rd. Photo: Finn Blackwell
