Shooting second in month tasers not available

An armed man has been taken to hospital by ambulance after being shot by police outside a house in the Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier.

ACCUSED: Actor Rob Mokaraka who allegedly lunged at police with a meat cleaver and knives.

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The police shooting of a man armed with a meat cleaver was the second incident this month where a taser was not available.

Actor Robert Mokaraka, 36, was shot in Point Chevalier about 1pm yesterday after allegedly lunging with knives and a meat cleaver toward police officers.

Fearing for their safety, police shot him in the upper chest.

Mokaraka had surgery at Auckland Hospital to have the bullet removed and was reported to be in a serious but stable condition this morning.

The armed offenders squad and an officer trained with a taser were on their way when the shooting took place.

This month Hamilton police were left negotiating with a man for hours while he was standing waist-deep in the Waikato River, because no taser was available.

The man surrendered immediately one was flown to the scene in a police helicopter from Auckland.

He had earlier dragged a police officer under his car in an attempt to avoid being spoken to about following a woman jogger.

Police Association vice president Chris Cahill today said he could not say for sure whether a taser would have been suitable in yesterday's incident.

"What we are saying is if tasers were available, it would have been another option open to the officer and we're encouraging the employment of tasers as soon as possible."

When Mokoraka approached police armed with weapons, he gave police "no option" but to shoot, Mr Cahill told Radio New Zealand.

"It's the last resort by police and no officer wants to have to fire a shot."

An Independent Police Conduct Authority investigation, as well as criminal and coronial inquiries are to be held.

Mokoraka, of Ngapuhi/Tuhoe descent, is an veteran actor who has had roles in films, television and theatre productions since he studied at Northland Polytechnic in Whangarei.

His CV showed he appeared in two police training videos playing the part of a police officer about eight years ago, NewstalkZB reported today.

Mokaraka last year toured with a play about a Maori battalion soldier in Italy.

Mokaraka won The Chapman Tripp Theatre award for Best Male Newcomer for his role in the play Have Car, Will Travel in 2001.

His TV credits include stints on Love Bites, Questions, and Mataku.

- NZPA