A 24-year-old man has been charged with murder after a police officer was shot and killed during a routine traffic in Auckland.
New Zealand police launched a major operation to apprehend the offender, who attacked officers performing a "routine traffic stop" in the west Auckland suburb of Massey on Friday morning.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster confirmed later on Friday that that one of the officers who was shot died after the shooting, while another officer was in hospital with serious injuries.
"A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged with multiple serious offences including murder, attempted murder and dangerous driving causing injury," he said late on Friday night.
"The investigation into this incident is ongoing and police are not able to rule out the possibility of further persons being charged," he added.
"Our thoughts are with the family of the slain police officer and we are continuing to ensure they are provided with all possible support."
Mr Coster said the officers identified a "vehicle of interest" and pursued it with sirens and lights, only to lose track.
That vehicle was located a short time later, crashed on Reynella Drive.
As police approached, a man climbed out and opened fire.
The offender fled with another person in a second vehicle, which was also later abandoned.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the death, the first of an officer on duty for 11 years, was "devastating news".
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters tweeted a message of support to the officer's family and "the wider police family".
A member of the public was also hit and seriously injured by the offender's vehicle, according to police.
Elaine Taniela, a local, told the NZ Herald she heard gunshots at her home, and a friend "saw a cop on the ground. He looked like he was having a seizure."
Auckland, with a population of around 1.7 million people, is New Zealand’s largest city.
