Post mortem complete following shooting

A post mortem has now been completed on the body of Anthony Ratahi, who was fatally shot by Police in Opunake at the weekend while holding a woman hostage.

The family of Mr Ratahi have been advised that he died from a single shot to the head. The release of Mr Ratahi's body to the family is now a matter for the Coroner.

Auckland-based Detective Superintendent Andrew Lovelock is overseeing the Police investigation into Mr Ratahi's death.

"The post mortem findings form an important part of the overall Police investigation into the incident. Running parallel with the Police investigation is a review into the compliance by Police in terms of practice, policy and procedure, which is a standard practice.

"In addition, there is an inquiry underway by the Independent Police Conduct Authority which should provide further reassurance to the public that the matter will be overseen with impartiality.

"Investigations of this nature inevitably take some time to complete and it may be a number of months before full details of the events at the weekend can be publicly disclosed."

It is accepted practice when someone is shot by Police that three separate investigations are conducted. These three investigations are addition to the obligation Police have as agents of the Coroner.

"Whilst this number of investigations may appear excessive, the reality is that a person has been killed and we need to make sure that the Police have acted appropriately."