The police officer killed in a shooting in west Auckland on Friday is being remembered by his family of a man with "great integrity" who always dreamed of joining the police.
On Saturday morning, the officer was named as 28-year-old Const Matthew Dennis Hunt, from Auckland.
Hunt was shot while carrying out a routine traffic stop on Reynella Dr, west Auckland, on Friday.
Another police officer was seriously injured in the shooting, while a member of the public sustained minor injuries when they were struck by the fleeing car.
Hunt's family released a statement on Saturday morning saying he was a person of "great integrity".
"His closest friends were like his brothers and sisters and they along with his family are absolutely heartbroken by what has happened.
"He was passionate about sport and his physical fitness and was thrilled to enjoy the recent Blues game at Eden Park with his mates," his family said.
Hunt attended Orewa College, after being raised on the Hibiscus Coast by his mother Diane with his sister Eleanor. His family said he always dreamed of being a police officer.
"We ask that media please respect our privacy at this time and allow us the space to grieve the sudden loss of our son, brother and friend."
Police Cmmr Andrew Coster said Hunt joined the police in 2017.
"He spent the majority of his career working frontline at Orewa and Helensville Stations before recently moving to work in our Waitemata Road Policing Team based at Harbour Bridge Station."
Hunt's death was "tragic and sensless", Coster said, adding their priority remains on supporting his family.
"Along with this, we are also ensuring the welfare of all other police staff who attended the incident as well as the other injured officer and injured member of the public."
Bouquets of flowers were placed at the Henderson police station and at the scene of the shooting on Reynella Dr on Friday night.
On Saturday, a 24-year-old man charged with murder will appear in the Waitakere District Court.
