‘No option’ in hostage crisis

Police had no other option but to shoot dead a man who was holding children hostage with a machete in Tauranga, the region’s commander says.

More details have come to light about the dramatic and prolonged stand-off involving the man, a woman and three young children, which came to a violent end yesterday afternoon.

Bay of Plenty police district commander Andy McGregor defended the actions of officers at the scene during a press conference in the wake of the shooting.

‘‘It is sad but there was no other option; we had to get those kids out of that house safely.’’

Police rushed to the property in Oriana Cres, Bellevue, Tauranga, shortly after midnight yesterday following a call from a woman who said she had been threatened with a knife. Officers entered the home and found the offender holding a machete to a young child, McGregor said.

‘‘He threatened to harm that child if the police did not leave the address.’’

Police retreated, managing to take one of the young children at the home with them, he said.

As officers established a cordon, the Armed Offenders Squad and a negotiating team were called in. ‘‘The police negotiating team tried everything to resolve this situation peacefully,’’ McGregor said.

However, police received medical advice yesterday afternoon raising serious concerns over the safety of the children.

That was due to their very young age, dehydration, a lack of food and the stifling heat on the first floor of the building where they were being held.

Police decided to enter the property and did so just before 3pm, McGregor said.

‘‘On entry at the address the offender had a knife at the chest of one of the children; he was then shot. He died shortly after.’’

The two children still inside were evacuated from the property safely. Two of them, aged 4 and 6, have been taken to hospital – the third is aged 11.

‘‘This is a very traumatic event for them and it is something that no-one should ever have to go through, and we are offering them support at the moment.

‘‘This is also very traumatic for our own staff. But in the end we have got two children that are out safely.’’

McGregor said the number of shots fired, reported to be numerous based on a video account, would be part of the investigation. The officers involved would be on a mandatory 10-day stand-down, McGregor said.

‘‘I am satisfied they did the right thing.’’

The incident would be referred to both the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), as is standard after police shootings, as well as the coroner.

The man was known to the police, McGregor said.

A full examination of the property was to begin this morning.

Police Minister Stuart Nash has offered his sympathies to the family of the man shot dead.

‘‘It is appropriate that independent external agencies, including the IPCA and coroner, will examine the circumstances of the death, and I will not comment on the details of today’s shooting,’’ Nash said.

‘‘My sympathies and condolences go out to the man’s family. I also recognise how frightening the last few hours have been for the woman and children caught up in this traumatic incident.

‘‘They will receive support from police to help them with the days, weeks and months ahead.

‘‘It is important to also acknowledge the distressing impact this shooting will have on the officers involved.’’

‘‘We had to get those kids out ... safely.’’

Andy McGregor district commander