Man shot dead named

A man shot dead by police in Taranaki last week after reportedly brandishing a firearm at officers was Allan Neville Rowe.

The 54-year-old was shot on Tuesday afternoon last week in Mamaku Rd, off State Highway 3.

A witness earlier said Rowe had earlier been "storming around" after a row with his partner.

The dead man was well known in Waitara and regarded as a talented sportsman, the witness said.

Central District Commander Superintendent Chris de Wattignar said about police received a call at 3.40pm that a male had left a property in a distressed state, possibly with a firearm. Shortly after police located a car parked and partly hidden.

They called out to anyone in the car and when no one emerged, they went closer, de Wattignar said.

It was then a male appeared in the driver's seat of the vehicle.

De Wattignar said the man was challenged to get out of the vehicle. He then presented a firearm at the police officers, police said.

He failed to put the firearm down and police shot him, de Wattingar said.

He was removed from the vehicle and given first aid immediately but died by the time an ambulance arrived.

Police located a cut-down .22 rifle dropped by the male outside the vehicle.

De Wattignar said it was an extremely distressing incident for all concerned.

Four officers attending the incident have been given downtime for 10 days, he said.