Police have found a pump-action shotgun and live cartridge at the house where a man was shot and killed by police in Hamilton overnight.
Meanwhile, the father of the man says the death was a result of "trigger-happy" police.
However, police say it appears the death was "unavoidable".
Police have yet to name the man, having not yet formally identified him, but he is believed to be 36-year-old Nick Marshall.
Police have released more information about the shooting, which happened on Grasslands Rd in the suburb of Frankton on Tuesday night.
The armed offenders squad entered the property in the industrial area around 6:30pm in relation to methamphetamine and firearms.
Assistant Commissioner Allan Boreham says police intelligence suggested the property had gang connections.
When they entered the property, police told those inside they were armed.
"Once inside the building the officers encountered a man, who upon seeing police, reached for and picked up a long-barrelled firearm and actioned it in very close proximity.
"Despite being called upon multiple times, he continued to present the firearm and was subsequently shot," Asst Cmmr Boreham says.
He says there were "a number of shots fired" by more than one member of the armed offenders squad. There is no suggestion at this point the man fired back.
(Newshub.)
The 36-year-old man died at the scene, despite attempts by police in "cramped" conditions providing first aid. He was pronounced dead by paramedics.
A cordon was put in place around the property overnight, with armed police guarding it.
A woman, known to the man, was also at the property but in another part of the building.
Police say a full investigation is underway into the incident, including a scene examination which is expected to take a number of days.
They have confirmed on Wedsnesday they'd found the firearm where the man was standing. A wider search of the building is continuing.
The woman has given an initial statement to police, but will be interviewed further.
Their original investigation into methamphetamine and firearms is ongoing.
Police won't release the name of the man because he is yet to be formally identified.
"If he is the person we believe him to be, he's known to us."
A post-mortem will be held on Wednesday.
But in a Facebook post, Nelson Marshall decried the police officers' actions.
He called his son "one of the gentlest people I know".
In another Facebook post, the Nick Marshall's partner Kendyl Eadie said he wasn't "armed or threatening".
"im in shock still cant beleive those who r suppose to serve and protect nz r cold blooded killers. [sic]
"U wer one of the good ones, il fight this in ur memory, say hi to elvis for me. [sic]"
A friend of Nick Marshall has also paid tribute to him, saying he was the only who who "never ditched me, or did me wrong".
"You're dead now, bro. So, eternal respect. I love you, bro. Always have, always will," David Roughton continued in the Facebook post.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has been told of the incident, which is standard practice.
Witness Paula Simmonds had picked up her dogs from nearby Hamilton Hounds before heading to the Mad Butcher as the incident began.
"We saw about three cop cars and a whole lot of [armed police] run into building across from Hamilton Hounds… then there was some shooting," Ms Simmonds said.
Police Association president Greg O'Connor says the "pre-planned" search warrant shows officers were prepared for "every eventuality".
"One thing we've learned since the unfortunate death in Hawke's Bay of our colleague Len Snee is that we must plan all of these operations, right down to every search warrant we do," he told Paul Henry on Wednesday.
"If there's any possibility firearms will be there, of course we take the experts; we take the armed offenders squad and when we hear there's been a shooting involving the armed offenders squad it's some reassurance the planning has gone on."
He says it would be a rare occurrence nowadays that any drug property didn't have firearms.
Mr O'Connor says the public can be reassured the operation was planned and staff were prepared with one goal in mind - safety.
He says the officer who shot the person would now face a "three- or four-year process" in investigating what happened, including the coroner and IPCA inquiries.
(Newshub.)
Asst Cmmr Boreham said the operation was "a long time in the planning".
On Tuesday night, police were seen leaving the property wear gas masks.
"A lot of forethought was given to the tactics to be used, that's included not only to deal with a firearm, but also chemical threats.
He believes officers responded to the incident as they were trained to.
However, Asst Cmmr Boreham says the initial information showed the way the shooting unfolded "appears like it was unavoidable".
He says most police encounters with the public end peacefully.
"It is always unfortunate when we have to use deadly force and now we need to find out what's happened."
Newshub.
