Taxi driver shot over Wellington fare

Witnesses have described seeing armed police swarming the scene where a taxi driver was shot in Wellington.

Police said the Capital Taxis driver was shot in the shoulder while he was in his car on Stone St, in the suburb of Miramar, about 9.10pm on Saturday.

He had taken two passengers, a man and a woman, from Courtenay Place to Stone St where a dispute occurred over the trip fare ‘‘escalated into a staggering level of violence,’’ Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch said. ‘‘This type of crime is unusual for Wellington and we want to reassure the community that police are focused on finding those responsible.’’

The driver managed to reach a nearby service station where he sought help before being taken to Wellington Hospital. He received moderate injuries and is expected to make a full recovery.

Builder Jeremy Houtas, who lives on Stone St, was driving from Miramar to the city when he saw an armed police officer directing traffic along Miramar Ave.

He left via Cobham Drive, where five patrol cars ‘‘just sped past me at about 180, 200[kmh]’’.

‘‘Half an hour later, on my way back to Miramar, there’s another 10 cop cars scattered [down Miramar Ave] and Portsmouth [Rd].’’

He saw a police officer with an assault rifle standing near the Wellington Blown Away sign on the Miramar cutting.

‘‘There’s a bit of bush area, and I’m wondering if the guy they were after was hiding in that area,’’ Houtas said. ‘‘I was just shocked. I’ve never seen a cop with an assault rifle down my area ... it’s not cool, mate. We’ve got kids down here and it’s the last thing we need around our homes.’’

Another motorist saw two officers in ‘‘full gear’’ with ‘‘assault rifles’’ jump out of their police car along Miramar Ave. ‘‘We couldn’t tell what happened then but we saw the police running with the [rifles] towards the grassy area with the [Blown Away] sign.’’

She drove back 20 minutes later after police had blocked Portsmouth Rd. Six officers were positioned at the Z petrol station. ‘‘The most jarring part ... was seeing multiple large guns, so we figured it must be a very dangerous situation. [It was] very scary.’’

Leitch said police were still working to establish what type of firearm was used.

Capital Taxis co-founder Tim Lauagiagi said his first concern was for his employee’s wellbeing when police explained what had happened. He had not yet been able to contact the injured driver or his family. ‘‘I couldn’t believe it, it’s not something you expect to happen here in New Zealand.

‘‘Every taxi company has issues with passengers assaulting or getting verbally abusive with the driver. But New Zealand is the second-most peaceful country on the global peace index. To see something like that happen within our company was pretty shocking.’’

Taxi-camera footage had been handed over to the police to help identify the passengers.

●➤ Anyone with information can call police on (04) 381 2000 or via the Crimestoppers hotline (0800 555 111).

‘‘I couldn’t believe it, it’s not something you expect to happen here.’’

Capital Taxis co-founder Tim Lauagiagi