The actions of Tauranga Police officers who fatally shot a man following a pursuit last year have been justified.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority has released its ruling following an investigation into the shooting, where 49 rounds were fired by police, on February 11, 2020.

The IPCA has ruled that police were justified in shooting Anthony Fane following a pursuit, in which on five separate occasions he fired shots at four Armed Offender Squad officers while driving in a highly populated area in Tauranga.

Fane and his brother allegedly committed a double homicide at Omanawa Falls, Tauranga, the authority's report reads.

Fane is also believed to have killed his partner on February 9, 2020, says the IPCA.

On February 13, 2020, four AOS officers in two separate vehicles were deployed on a 'reassurance patrol' in response to the double homicide.

At about 7.45pm, they came across a Ford Falcon, registered to and being driven by Fane. This vehicle was not included in the list of vehicles of interest connected to the homicides that the officers had been briefed on.

A pursuit ensued, during which Fane fired shots at the AOS officers while driving through busy residential areas in Tauranga.

At one point he stopped directly opposite a retirement home, got out of the Falcon, and fired directly at the officers in their cars. They did not return fire at this point.

The pursuit concluded on SH2, between the Waihi Road and Cambridge Road overbridges, where Fane came to a stop.

At this point, the officers believed Fane was going to get out of the car and shoot at them again.

Two of the officers fired a total of 49 rounds at Fane before the Falcon began rolling forward into some bushes, where the officers found Fane, who had died.

The Authority found the officers were justified in shooting at Fane under sections 39 and 48 of the Crimes Act 1961.

Additionally, the Authority found the information provided by Police intelligence to AOS, and general staff, was inadequate.

"The Authority considered that the AOS officers displayed a high level of professionalism in relation to this matter, and their concern as to the risk to life at the time was clear,” says Authority Chair, Judge Colin Doherty.

'We accept their response to the circumstances in shooting at Mr Fane was the only available option given the risk he posed to them, other Police officers who may have come upon him, and members of the public.

'The officers' intention was only ever to incapacitate Mr Fane to eliminate the risk he was posing. His death was a tragic, albeit foreseeable, consequence.”

Police have acknowledged the Independent Police Conduct Authority's report.

'As noted by the IPCA, the officers involved displayed a high level of professionalism in relation to this matter,” says Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor.

'The officers were confronted with an offender who posed a significant risk, both to the officers themselves and to the general public.

'It was extremely fortunate that nobody was seriously injured or killed when Mr Fane shot at the officers on five separate occasions while driving through busy residential areas in Tauranga.

'I am confident the officers involved took the only option available to them in the circumstances to prevent further harm.”