The presence of Gazza the police dog shot and killed on the job in Porirua last week will live on in the K9 unit following the birth of 11 nieces and nephews.
The four-year-old German shepherd was killed during an armed incident in the Cannons Creek suburb by Pita Tekira on Friday following a police warrant check.
Pita Tekira (NZ Police)
Four armed officers went to the Kokiri Cres address looking for Tekira who had earlier this month cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet while at his Hawke's Bay home.
Police had been searching for him since then.
They say Tekira, armed with a firearm, shot the dog inside the house causing an officer to jump out a second-storey window to get away from him.
Tekira was found dead in a separate house following an overnight stand-off with police.
Following Gazza's death, police paid tribute to the dog who had previously survived being choked by a man he was pursuing.
He was part of the breeding programme at the Police Dog Training Centre in Trentham.
Now Central District Police say they're expecting one of Gazza's nieces or nephews, born to mum Gypsy, to join them in a month.
Some of the puppies born in the K litter (Police Dog Trust / Facebook)
They've opened up a naming competition for the new puppy, though the only condition is it starts with the letter K.
On their Facebook page, police say they'll be updating the public on the puppy's progress.
Some of the suggestions so far have included Karma, Khaos, Kasper and Kelly.
Mum Gypsy and her litter (Police Dog Trust / Facebook)
Gazza graduated from training in late 2013 with his handler Constable Josh Robertson.
He was the seventh police dog to be shot dead on duty since 1972, but the 24th to be killed while serving.
Gazza was a popular visitor to schools, police open days and at local sports grounds.
Constable Josh Robertson and Gazza (NZ Police)
Earlier last year, Gazza tracked a man for 3.5 kilometres through Wainuiomata where he was choked by the offender.
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