Police Detective Inspector Chris Page speak to the media about the events relating to the fatal shooting of Thames man Vaughan William John Te Moananui

A Thames neighbourhood is in shock after a man was shot dead by police after a five-hour confrontation.

Vaughan William John Te Moananui, 33, was killed after police were called to a situation "where there was a significant threat of violence" about midday on Saturday.

A couple living next door who had "front row seats" for the drama said it was impossible to tell if the armed man had shot first.

REBEKAH PARSONS-KING\Waikato Times Scene of the fatal shooting in Thames

Family of the man said he had had issues in the past but that he was easy going and kind and had been "coming right".

Police were initially called to an address in Kopu before being told that Te Moananui was at another address in Thames. It is understood Te Moananui had been drinking before the trouble with the police started.

At a press conference on Sunday at Thames Police Station Detective Inspector Chris Page from the Waikato District Criminal Investigation Branch confirmed Te Moananui was a father of young children. He said Te Moananui's family had been "pretty understanding" of the police actions.

Page was unable to say if Te Moananui had shot at the police, or if the police had shot first, or whether he was intoxicated at the time. Likewise, he was not yet at liberty to say what part of Te Moananui's anatomy was hit by police bullets.

"I can't talk to these aspects ... We need to find out what things led to this tragedy."

The police officers involved in the shooting would be offered counselling if needed and other appropriate care, he said.

"No police officer goes out with the intention of causing harm to anyone."

SIRENS AND DRAMA

Alec and Win Castle, who live immediately next door to the house where the shooting happened, received a phone call from police as the drama unfolded.

Win Castle said a policewoman asked if she could see anyone armed with a gun inside the house next door and told her that she and the other occupants of the house should stay inside.

"We all stood and watched. We could see two armed offenders [squad members] in the grounds of the playcentre across the way, with their guns pointed at the house. Then we heard two shots being fired. Then they definitely fired two shots and they all ran across the road towards where the man was.

"We had visitors down from Auckland. We were all quite amused and entertained for a while by what was happening, until about midnight, when we heard he had died. Then it all became quite unamusing.

"They are really nice, quiet people next door. This really is a nice, quiet little seaside village. We actually got a valuation on our house last week ... Hopefully the value of our home hasn't been literally shot down."

'DON'T SHOOT'

A relative of Te Moananui said she was very saddened by news of the shooting.

"He lived in Kopu and his sister was living here [in Thames]," the woman said.

"I don't dwell on his bad points. I always found him to be an easy-going, kind person. I have never been on the wrong side of him. I guess there were two sides to him. I just feel very sorry for the entire whanau."

Many in the immediate neighbourhood were still in shock on Sunday morning. One elderly neighbour, who asked not to be named, said she missed witnessing the actual shooting but saw much of the drama that preceded it.

"I heard the sirens and looked out to see all the guns and police cars. I heard a lot of screaming and crying from up the road as well.

"There was one boy, standing just off the end of my verandah who knew [the shot man]. He was saying 'That's a friend of mine. He's got a gun.' Then he got all shaky.

"He must have seen the police were going to shoot the man, because he ran up the road and was shouting 'Don't shoot him! Don't shoot him!'

"It was at that point I went inside and locked the door. It was a little scary. I did that in case [the man with the gun] did a runner."

Thames resident Jordan Lee Madden said he happened on the scene and heard, but did not see, the shooting.

"I heard he was pointing his gun at random people. I was just walking down the road trying to see what was happening, but the cops were keeping everyone well back."

Police said the Armed Offenders Squad and the Police Negotiation Team were deployed to the address when they learned a firearm was involved.

"The man confronted police with a firearm and was subsequently shot," police said. "Police immediately administered first aid, but the man died a short time later in the Thames Hospital."

'HE WAS COMING RIGHT'

Another relative of Te Moananui said he didn't see what happened, but he was called soon after 4.30pm by a friend who was nearby at the time.

"He told me he could hear a bit of yelling, with the cops yelling 'Put the gun down' and then shooting." The relative, who owns a panel beating business not far from the scene, described Te Moananui as a good guy who had been in trouble with the police previously. "He was all right, I suppose. He could be a bit ruthless if you crossed him. "He had a past that was quite bad, but he was coming right. He had a good job and a new V8 Falcon. "I guess I won't be doing any work on his car next week. I was going to be putting in a new gearbox for him."

'TRAGIC INCIDENT'

Bill Terry, another neighbour resident, said he was going on his evening stroll when he came across the drama.

"He had been shot by that stage. A policeman with a rifle came up to me and asked me if I was going any further up the street. I said: 'No, not now. I can't run as fast as bullets'."

Another resident, also unwilling to give his name, said he was thankful for the police presence because it gave him a rare full night's sleep.

"There's usually cars revving up and doing the odd burnout up and down here. It's never been this quiet. I actually got some sleep last night."

State Highway 25 was closed between both exits of Kopu Rd during the encounter.

Several police investigators from across the Waikato had been called to Thames to assist with the scene examination, area enquiries and the investigation.

Police inquiries were focussing on the activities of Te Moananui on Saturday and in the preceding weeks. Police want anyone who interacted with him recently, or saw any of the events from Saturday to contact 07 8679600. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Four investigations into the shooting will run concurrently, including investigations by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and the coroner.

District Commander Superintendent Bruce Bird said the incident was tragic for all involved.

"Our sympathies again go out to Mr Te Moananui's family at this difficult time."

Bird said the police were still developing a clearer picture of the events of the day, and wanted to clarify that an initial media release describing the man as being "in custody" was incorrect. This was a mistaken belief at the time based on initial information.

The post mortem has been completed in Auckland and the cause of death will be determined by the coroner.