New Zealand police are investigating whether a man who died from a stab wound during a stand-off had any connection with the alleged Christchurch mosque shooter.
National police commissioner Mike Bush said Christchurch police investigating guns found at a local property, located the 54-year-old man in a vehicle about 12.30am on Wednesday.
Police negotiators spoke with the man over a number of hours and officers approached the vehicle at around 3.40am, Bush said, when they found him critically injured with what appeared to be a stab wound.
First aid was applied but the man died at the scene. A knife was found in the vehicle, but no further guns were discovered, he said.
"A high priority investigation is underway to determine whether or not the deceased man posed a threat to the community. This will include further searches of Christchurch properties and interviews with family and associates," Bush said.
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"At this time there is no evidence to suggest this person had any involvement in the attacks of 15 March, however this forms an important part of the investigation."
A suspected white supremacist has been charged with one count of murder over the Christchurch shootings and will appear in court on April 5.
