A woman was fatally shot by police after she advanced on police "brandishing" a hunting knife moments after her partner had been shot by police.
Meanwhile, a nearby resident told RNZ the couple were "always fighting", while their church pastor said the community had been devastated by the incident.
The man, who was critically injured, is now in a stable condition and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill spoke with media on Thursday about the fatal police shooting.
Police were called to the Clyde Rd property in Bryndwr, Christchurch about 11pm on Wednesday after a person known to the couple, who was not at the address, called police to say a man at the property was allegedly armed with a knife and threatening to hurt himself and his partner.
Due to the information provided officers had made a "tactical decision" to arm themselves.
There were 10 police officers at the scene at the time.
"Police believed the woman was in risk of imminent serious harm, and fired a single shot, which hit the man.
"An officer has approached the man to provide first aid. The woman has picked up the knife and began to threaten officers, despite an appeal for her to put down the weapon, she has advanced on police, brandishing the knife.
"A second shot was fired, hitting the woman, officers immediately provided medical assistance. However, unfortunately, she has died at the scene."
Hill said both shots were fired from the same police officer from a rifle.
He said support was in place for the staff who were in attendance at the time.
"Drawing a firearm is one of the last things that a police officer wants to do, and is likely mostly one of the most significant decisions they may have to make in their career."
A critical incident investigation was underway alongside an investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
"I want to offer our condolences and thoughts for the family of the two people who were shot."
Asked if he was confident the right tactical option was used, he said that would form a "large part" of the investigation.
"I think it's inappropriate me to say at this stage about whether they were the right decisions at the time that will be part of the investigation. What I will say is it was a highly dynamic situation. Having personally been in one of these myself, I can tell you that they unfold very quickly."
He understood staff at the scene had the "normal, full array of tactical options" that frontline staff have available to them.
A police vehicle stationed outside the Clyde Rd house in Bryndwr. Photo: RNZ / Adam Burns
Police often called, says neighbour
A nearby resident told RNZ the couple were "always fighting" and said police were routinely called to the address.
Asked about the couple's previous interactions with police, Hill said the prior history of the couple would form a part of the investigation.
When questioned about whether the couple were under the influence of any alcohol or drugs, Hill said "those are facts we are yet to establish".
A nearby resident told RNZ the couple were "always fighting" and said police were routinely called to the address.
The neighbour, who asked not to be named, said they had lived at the house for about six years.
"They were very unhappy. She was a very unhappy person. They fought a lot. She was always calling the police."
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Family Violence
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- Allied Media & Sam Sherwood and Adam Burns of RNZ
