The Government is looking at what financial help it can provide the family of the man shot dead by police on an Auckland motorway on Friday.
Halatau Naitoko, 17, was killed when a stray bullet fired from a police rifle struck him in the chest as they chased an armed man.
Stephen Hohepa McDonald, 50, of New Lynn appeared in Auckland District Court today facing 29 charges in connection with the incident, including 10 of using a firearm against police officers.
Prime Minister John Key and Police Minister Judith Collins have expressed their condolences to the family of the dead man, and government involvement would go far beyond that.
Already financial assistance with the funeral had been offered, Mr Key told reporters at his post cabinet briefing today.
"I have asked personally for an indication of what compensation the family is likely to get," Mr Key said.
Legislative routes were not likely to cover all the funeral costs, so some help was possible there, he said.
At his request, officials were looking at compensation precedents for similar tragedies, though this was the first time an innocent member of the public had been shot dead by police.
"Let's see what they are entitled to under ACC, what support will be there for the child and partner left behind, and what other costs they will be reimbursed for, let's just see what that is before we decide what the next move might be."
It was premature to comment on what had gone wrong before inquiries were complete, Mr Key said.
"It's fair to say it was a fast-moving situation where the criminal in question was seriously challenging the life of another New Zealander and obviously the police clearly felt they had to act quickly."
In court, McDonald entered no plea and made no application for bail. Ten of the charges alleged using a firearm against police officers.
He was remanded in custody to appear again on February 5.
He was arrested after an incident in which a stolen car fled police along the Northwestern Motorway, then crashed.
Shots were exchanged between the man and police as he allegedly tried to hijack a vehicle which was caught up in the action.
Police yesterday said the bullet which killed Mr Naitoko came from one of two M4 rifles fired by police.
His fiancee and father have expressed anger and frustration at police.
A second man caught up in the drama, Richard Neville, was also injured by shrapnel from the shooting.
As he recovered yesterday he said he was in no doubt police had saved his life.
