The Police watchdog's found Police were justified in fatally shooting a man in Lower Hutt's Wainuiomata in November last year

The Independent Police Conduct Authority says the man was extremely agitated, and held a screwdriver to a woman's throat.

Police spoke with the man for an hour, but multiple officers say he was becoming more aggressive - and about to hurt or kill the woman.

He died after a gunshot to his shoulder.

The IPCA found the officer delayed shooting until it was absolutely necessary to save the woman.