Porirua seige: Kaumata blessing on homes

The house (centre) where gunman Pita Rangi Te Kira was found dead in a house on Kokiri Cres in Porirua. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The two homes in Porirua where a dramatic armed seige unfolded on Friday have been blessed by a kaumatua after the incident ended in the gunman's death on Saturday morning.

Pita Tekira was found dead at a home on Kokiri Cres after a tense overnight stand-off with police.

The drama unfolded after the 29-year-old allegedly shot police dog, Gazza, at one house before racing down the street and holing up in a second house.

Police spent most of the day on Friday trying to convince Mr Tekira to give himself up. The negotiations continued throughout the night and ended on Saturday morning when police gained access to the ground floor of the house and used a camera to locate Mr Tekira.

He was found alone in a room on the upper floor with a firearm. It is believed he shot himself.

After news of his death was made public, three kaumatua blessed both homes. All had to don large gas masks to protect against residue gas from canisters used by police during the stand-off.

The homes were blessed and a prayer said to get rid of any bad spirits remaining, it was reported.

On a Facebook page believed to be that of Mr Tekira, friends and family posted moving tributes in the wake of his death.

One person wrote: "Rest easy cous, always in our hearts, we love you", while another wrote: "Aww why cousin why?"