Police are responding to a “serious incident” in western Waikato this morning.
A police officer has been injured and a person killed, after a reported burglary in the Waitomo District.
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Commissioner Richard Chambers confirmed the police response in a media release shortly after 7am.
In a message to staff, he said: “The suspect has been shot by police and has died. A second person has been taken into custody.
“A confrontation resulted, “during which a colleague has been shot and injured.”
“The officer has been taken to a hospital in a serious condition, but I advised he is conscious and talking to his fellow officers,” he said.
1News footage from the scene showed a heavy police presence this morning. (Source: 1News)
Chambers is returning to New Zealand today. He was in Australia for the funerals of the slain Victoria police officers.
He said Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers was travelling to Waikato and would speak with media.
“Police expect to provide a full update later this morning,” he said.
A 1News camera operator at the scene said the cordon extends for around 2km in each direction on part of Te Anga Rd.
It is inland from Marokopa, where fugitive Tom Phillips is believed to have been hiding with his three children.
Some locals said there had been unusual traffic overnight, and multiple helicopters overhead.
The Police Eagle helicopter was in the area for a short time, but now appeared to have returned to Auckland.
