David Cerven, 21, was shot dead in Myers Park last night hours after police issued a media release naming him as a suspect in three armed robberies on the North Shore.
Yellow markers are laid down at spots where the detectors emit electronic beeps. Those spots are then scoured by specialist search teams.
The main search area is about 10m down a hill from where a white tent is standing.
CCTV cameras also cover the area, which is cordoned off to protect the scene.
Police have revealed little about what happened in the moments before Mr Cerven was shot, about 7.30pm, other than to say he told unarmed officers he was armed.
They retreated and called for back-up. A well-placed source told the New Zealand Herald two armed officers then approached Mr Cerven, who allegedly continued to approach carrying what appeared to be a firearm.
"They were about 10 to 20 metres away from him and right in the line of fire ... they have both assessed the situation as an immediate fatal threat and discharged their weapons around the same time."
The entire episode was recorded on CCTV cameras in the park which will be pored over by investigators in three inquiries, by police, the coroner and Independent Police Conduct Authority.
Mr Cerven entered New Zealand on March 20 on a 12-month working holiday visa, Auckland City District Commander, Superintendent Richard Chambers, told a media briefing this morning.
He is believed to have been living in Australia before coming to New Zealand, a police source said.
He was named as a suspect in two liquor store robberies last week after leaving items at a dairy robbed at knifepoint on Saturday night.
One was at the Harbour City liquor store in Glenfield.
Duty manager Jung Kun Ahn said the robber appeared calm as he demanded cash.
"He just stand there, very calm, it seemed like he had done this before."
Mr Kun Ahn said the robber, who appeared to speak with a "Russian" accent, threatened to kill him if he left the store for help in the next two minutes.
Deborah Wang, owner of the other liquor store Mr Cerven is believed to have robbed, Thirsty Liquor, on the corner of Chivalry Rd and Diana Drive, said it was a "bad night".
"I was not scared ... I was thinking he just wants money, I'll just give it to him, he shouldn't hurt me."
The shooting occurred after Mr Cerven called police on 111 at 7.23pm yesterday saying he was in Myers Park and was wanted by police.
Mr Cerven insisted on police going to the park, which officers did, Mr Chambers said.
"When he was located he told the officers who engaged with him verbally from a distance that he was armed. Consequently, unarmed staff retreated and requested armed officers to attend. The entire episode was recorded on CCTV cameras in the park and this footage will prove invaluable to the three investigations that are now under way."
Police would not confirm whether or not Mr Cerven was armed because investigations are now under way.
Peter Kiely, the honorary Slovakian consul in Auckland, said Mr Cerven was one of about 100 young Slovaks in New Zealand on a one-year working holiday visa. Mr Kiely did not know where Mr Cerven had been working or where he had been living.
"I hadn't met him and he hadn't had any contact with the consulate. We only have contact with them if there is a problem. In the 20 years I have been consul I haven't had an incident like this before."
Witnesses said they heard numerous gunshots last night and saw what appeared to be a body covered by a white sheet.
Lauren Winthrop, 19, who lives in a Queen St apartment opposite the park, told the Herald she was watching television with her sister when they heard up to five "really loud gunshots".
"We looked outside and saw lots of police cars rushing to the scene."
The women went outside and saw police walking through the park flashing torches around."
At one stage they saw a white sheet on the ground that looked like it was covering a body. A police officer was standing nearby.
