Rhys Warren was sentenced in the High Court at Tauranga on Friday.

The man who shot four Armed Offenders Squad members in a house near Kawerau has been sent to jail indefinitely.

Rhys Richard Ngahiwi Warren was sentenced to preventive detention when he appeared for sentence at the High Court in Tauranga on Friday on two charges of attempted murder, three of using a firearm against a law enforcement officer and one of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Preventive detention means Warren can be detained indefinitely and will only be released if the Parole Board deems it safe to do so. He will not be eligible for parole for at least 10 years.

The siege occurred on March 9, 2016, on Onepu Springs Road, about 5 kilometres from Kawerau.

Warren continued to deny the rights of the court to prosecute him as he stood in the dock, producing an affidavit in his defence before the sentence was delivered.

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"I believe the police shot first. They fired 46 rounds at my whare, at my house where I was supposed to be safe," told Justice Timothy Brewer.

REBEKAH PARSONS-KING/FAIRFAX NZ Taupo District Area Commander Warwick Morehu was key to ending the police stand-off with 27-year-old Rhys Warren.

He asked for the charges to be dropped and sought compensation for $10,000 for personal court costs, a breach of his rights and personal trauma caused to him by the incident.

But Justice Brewer thought otherwise saying a sentence of preventive detention was necessary due to the violent nature of Warren's crimes and the fact that Warren believed the law had no jurisdiction over him.

"There is an argument he might change if I impose a finite sentence but I am not prepared to take the risk."

Warren was not in court to hear Brewer's final sentence. He repeatedly challenged the court's authority to judge him and decided to leave the courtroom to his holding cell instead. Brewer continued his sentencing in his absence.

Court was on high alert for Warren's case, with all other court business taking place in a separate building during the sentencing.

Extra security guards were brought in to assist after Warren had to be forcibly removed from the court during his previous court appearance.

Constable Regan Mauheni, Constable Damian White, Constable Andrew Flinn and Sergeant Logan Marsh – were all shot by Warren on March 9, 2016, during a siege on Onepu Springs Road, about 5 kilometres from Kawerau.

Mauheni, White and Flinn were all injured inside the house during the gunfight, while Marsh was injured while he was stationed outside the house afterward.

The squad members were at the home because shots had allegedly been fired at or near police and a police spotter plane during a cannabis clearance operation earlier in the day

Warren was arrested following a 22-hour siege of the property after Taupo Area Commander Warwick Morehu talked him out of the property.

Three out of the four police officers injured were present in the courtroom and read victim impact statements.

Flinn, who was shot in the knee during the gunfight, told the court that: "I know the defendant intended to kill as many police officers as he could that day".

"The tactics Warren used gave him a good chance of success. He was lying in wait and conducted an ambush attack at close range."

Flinn asked Warren if he stopped to think of the impact his actions that day.

"... or were you more concerned about establishing yourself as a folk hero extremist?"

Flinn said his wife and children had been left scared by this incident.

"They have concern whenever I am late home and my wife will not sleep until I am home safely."

Mauheni, who was shot in the head, said he thought he was going to die.

"I was unable to defend myself lying in the hallway. I was defenceless and unable to see or move and putting my colleagues at risk. I was in the worst pain in my life."

It was not until Mauheni underwent a CT scan that the full extent of his injury was revealed.

Shrapnel had entered his brain and he required surgery. His memory was affected and he needed to be sent to a acute brain rehab clinic to recover.

After 12 months without independence, he was cleared to return to full duties at the NZ Police.

"I went from being what a 30 year old should be to needing assistance to do anything.

"I get headaches that no amount of medication will relieve."

He said being cross-examined by Warren, who defended himself at trial, had also revictimised him and cause more stress.

Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor said all four injured officers have returned to work.

"However, I know that the impacts of that day will stay with them and their families for a long time," McGregor said.

"We are immensely proud of the way they have conducted themselves and put themselves at risk to keep the community safe during this incident.

"Today has been another step in closure for the staff involved and I hope the result of today's sentencing provides some comfort to them and their families.

"They are extremely grateful for the support they have received from the community and wider New Zealand."

The police will continue to support all staff involved, McGregor said.