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New Zealand stand-off over, gunman arrested

New Zealand Police has confirmed that the stand-off at the Bay of Plenty is over after the arrest of a gunman suspected of shooting four police officers during a drug operation.

No-fly zone after four NZ police shot
A still from police operations in New Zealand. Source: SBS

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Source: AAP


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New Zealand Police had been negotiating with the man overnight and confirmed that the stand-off was over on Thursday morning.

The gunman was suspected of shooting four police officers during a drug operation.

New Zealand's police commissioner Mike Bush had only just landed in Australia on Wednesday when he was briefed on the incident, and he return back overnight.

A no-fly zone was in place around the rural property where a sole shooter was surrounded by police.

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Four police officers were shot on Wednesday in an effort to arrest a person taking shots at a police aircraft.

A large-scale operation took place at the property in Otakiri, about 70km from Rotorua.

The New Zealand Defence Force was sent a tactical lift helicopter and three light armoured vehicles to assist police.

Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement told reporters on Wednesday evening the stand-off started in the morning when shots were fired at a police aircraft on a cannabis operation.

Police closed in on the offender's property, but by 4pm three officers had been shot.

Two of the officers were taken to Whakatane Hospital in a stable condition, and a third is in Rotorua Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

A fourth officer was later shot in the hand, and has received medical treatment.

All officers were male, but Mr Clement would not confirm ages or the details of injuries.


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