The man shot dead at a Sydney police station after he confronted officers with a large knife was a New Zealander.
Former Auckland man David Petersen was shot by police in the shoulder after he walked into the Quakers Hill station in Sydney yesterday brandishing a knife.
Police say Petersen threatened officers and started to scream incomprehensibly.
After Petersen was shot officers gave him CPR but he could not be revived.
Petersen's brother Alex Peterson posted a tribute on Facebook.
"David Emery Petersen my brother...I am so going to miss you David so so much. I'm lost for words my dearest friend and brother in life. You were always my hero," he said.
Petersen's nephew Sione Halo said he had a "massive heart" and always had time for a chat.
"(You) picked me up when I was down and told me to just keep smiling," he posted on Facebook.
"It just feels like yesterday we were chillin... having a laugh, can't believe u gone (sic)."
Another nephew AJ Peterson said he was lying in bed waiting for his uncle to call say the shooting was "all a sick joke".
"You were my idol growing up, the bloke I wanted to be like the one I always wanted to impress - but as we got older you told me partying wasn't everything and you were proud of the man I had become," he wrote.
"In my darkest moments you were there for me, you got me back on my feet and you gave me my first tool belt and the job that would mould the awesome life I live now.
"You were always there to talk to and you never judged me. You were my second father, the one that always pulled me up if I was carrying on or being to cheeky to my elders. I wish I had one more chance to tell you how much I love you and how much you meant to all of us and also how thankful I am for everything you done for me - you saved my life.
"You were more than just my uncle you were my best friend, my inspiration, my saviour."
Petersen lived less than a kilometre from the police station. He was shot by a police officer with 24 years' experience.
His motivation for coming to the station with the weapon is still under investigation.
According to an online profile Petersen was from Auckland and attended Aorere College and then Penrose High School in the mid 80s where he played rugby, volleyball and was a member of the Pacific Island dance group.
He worked as a scaffolder and had been living in Australia for some years.
On his profile Petersen said: "I am a person who gets along with other team members, hardworking, always prepared for any unexpected obstacles that may approach me or my team members and always willing to learn more on the job."