A man is dead after being shot by police in a Tauranga home, where he'd taken two children hostage

Officers were called to to the house in Oriana Crescent in Bellevue just after midnight.

Police say a man threatened his partner with a knife - but she managed to escape and went to a neighbour's house to call police.

Three children remained in the house with the man.

When police went inside they found him holding a large machete to the throat of one of the children.

Officers withdrew but helped one of the children escape.

They attempted to negotiate with him throughout the day but became increasingly concerned for the children.

At 3 this afternoon officers went into the house and were confronted by the man - he was shot and died at the scene.

The children are safe.