Statement from Commissioner Mike Bush
The police operation in the Bay of Plenty has been resolved safely after an individual at a Onepu Springs Road address surrendered to Police a short time ago.
The male surrendered without incident and has been taken into custody.
Our priority was always to resolve this without further risk to police staff or the public. This welcome development follows lengthy contact throughout the night with the individual by police negotiators and other police staff.
The individual will be given a medical check and taken to Whakatane police station. He will be interviewed in due course about the events of the last 24 hours.
I would like to thank all police staff and those in other emergency services who have worked on this operation. I’d particularly like to thanks our colleagues in the New Zealand Defence Force who have provided support.
I would also like to thank the public in the Bay of Plenty and beyond who have sent countless messages of support to the injured officers, and the wider police operation. It is heartening to see the good will we receive during such events, and we value this very much.
I have this morning visited the two police officers who are in Waikato Hospital. I can say they are in good spirits, despite the traumatic events which they have experienced in the last 24 hours.
A major police investigation has commenced, which will build a full picture of what led to yesterday’s shootings which led to four police staff being injured.
I appreciate there are many questions which will be asked about this event. We will conduct a thorough and detailed investigation to establish exactly what happened, and act on any learnings which may arise.
I can say however that the successful resolution of this incident is due to the work of dedicated, professional staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the last 24 hours to achieve a safe outcome.
The safety of the individual in custody, his family, the public and police staff has been our absolute priority from the outset.
END
Media please note Commissioner Mike Bush will hold a media briefing at the scene later this morning - further details on this to come.