David Snow, the father of Constable Jeremy Snow, speaks at a police press conference after the shooting of his son during a routine patrol in Papatoetoe, South Auckland. Photo by NZPA.

A constable recovering in hospital after being shot three times had wanted to be a police officer since he was a child, his father said today.

Constable Jeremy Snow (28) was shot in each leg and in the elbow in Auckland yesterday morning as he and a colleague approached a car which had its hazard lights flashing.

He was taken to Middlemore Hospital, where he underwent surgery.

Doctors who treated him say he might not have survived had his fellow officers not rescued him so promptly during the incident, which happened in Buckingham Crescent, Papatoetoe about 4am.

Mr Snow's father, David, said his son, who is single, wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

"He's pleased to be alive - it could have been a lot worse," he said. "He enjoys being a policeman. He wanted to be a policeman from young age."

David Snow said his son was still very groggy, but seemed "to be doing okay".

"He's in pain, but it's not life threatening any more so that's great."

He said he had never worried about the risks his son faced in the line of duty, believing being a police officer to be no more dangerous than being a construction worker.

"More people get killed on a construction site than in the police force," he said.

"It's a job and you do these things. It's not been a concern. You never expect this to happen, or course."

A 28-year-old man arrested shortly after the shooting appeared this morning at a special court hearing, held also in Middlemore Hospital.

The man, who has interim name suppression, was remanded in custody to appear in Manukau District Court on January 12.

He was taken also to hospital for treatment for police dog bites received during his arrest.

Police recovered three firearms - a shotgun, a high-powered rifle and a pistol - and are seeking another man in connection with the shooting.

Detective Inspector Mark Gutry named the man as Darren Thomas Court, who was already the subject of arrest warrants for unrelated matters, which included allegedly taking a car and behaviour offences.

Mr Gutry said Court (43) should not be approached, but anyone who knew of his whereabouts was asked to call police on (09) 262 9111.