Emotional moment police perform a powerful haka for officer who was killed during an alleged shooting rampage sparked by a traffic stop
- Constable Matthew Dennis Hunt was fatally shot during a routine traffic stop
- Hunt, 28, was killed on Friday morning and another police officer was shot
- On Sunday Hunt's colleagues performed a moving haka at scene of his death
- A 24-year-old man has been charged with murder and a woman, 30, arrested
Heartbroken police officers have performed an emotional haka in honour of a colleague who was shot and killed while on duty.
Constable Matthew Dennis Hunt, 28, was fatally shot during a routine traffic check in Massey, west Auckland, on Friday morning.
On Sunday more than 150 of Mr Hunt's colleagues banded together for a moving ceremony on Reynella Drive where the young officer was killed just days earlier.
Family and friends wept in each other's arms as officers performed the traditional Maori dance and flowers were laid across the road.
Constable Matthew Dennis Hunt, 28, was fatally shot during a routine traffic check in Massey, west Auckland, on Friday morning
On Sunday more than 150 of Mr Hunt's colleagues banded together for a moving ceremony on Reynella Drive where the young officer was killed just days earlier
A 24-year-old man has been charged with murder and police have arrested a woman who they allege was an accessory after the fact to the fatal shooting.
Constable Hunt was killed and another officer was shot in the leg after they tried to pull over a vehicle for in the Massey area.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said the two officers initially lost sight of the vehicle but later found it had crashed.
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When they approached the scene, a man with a 'long-barrelled firearm' allegedly began shooting at the unarmed officers.
The shooter and the female accomplice then allegedly fled the area in another vehicle - forcing local schools to go into lockdown.
As the pair allegedly made their getaway, the vehicle then struck an innocent bystander who is recovering in hospital.
Police officers are seen hugging as they pay tribute to Constable Hunt who was fatally shot
Constable Hunt (pictured) first started working with New Zealand Police as a member of Wing 312 on 30 October 2017. He spent most of his career working on the frontline at Orewa and Helensville Stations before recently moving to the Waitemata Road Policing Team
During parliament in New Zealand on Tuesday afternoon, National police spokesman Mark Mitchell shared words from Constable Hunt's family.
The 28-year-old's mother, Diane, said he was a 'selfless man of huge integrity'.
'He loved serving the community, he loved serving his community and protecting his fellow New Zealanders,' Mr Mitchell said on behalf of Diane.
'My heart is crying out that this was so unnecessary and tragic ... My beautiful boy, 28 years young, will never have another birthday.'
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the emotional tribute was a testament to how well loved Constable Hunt was.
A member of hold a 'police lives matter' sign outside Henderson Police Station on Saturday
A 'thank you' sign is seen among floral tributes for Constable Hunt on Saturday morning
A police officer keeps guard of the area after the shooting in western Auckland (pictured on Friday)
'Matt's death has moved people the length of this country,' she said.
'To lose a police officer is to lose someone working for all of us, but also a family member, someone's loved one and a friend.
'Matt did indeed have a star quality - a star that was taken too soon.'
Constable Hunt first started working with New Zealand Police as a member of Wing 312 on 30 October 2017.
The family said the 28-year-old was raised on the Hibiscus Coast by his mother Diane and with his sister Eleanor and he attended Orewa College.
'It was his life-long dream to be a police officer,' the family said.
During a press conference on Sunday, Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan, broke down while paying tribute to her former colleague.
'Everyone is just absolutely devastated. There is no higher sacrifice. There is no worse scene than seeing your colleague get killed in the line of duty,' Hassan said in between tears.
'He was killed serving his country. There is no higher price.'
Pictured: Flowers are placed outside Henderson Police Station in Auckland on Saturday
Mourners leave floral tributes for Constable Hunt in Auckland on Saturday morning
