The Sky Tower's blue glow illuminated the Auckland skyline in a tribute to fallen officer Matthew Hunt. Photo / Twitter
The Sky Tower's blue glow illuminated the Auckland skyline in a tribute to fallen officer Matthew Hunt. Photo / Twitter
A bright blue glow embraced Auckland's inner city in the cold winter of last night, as the Sky Tower lit up in honour of Constable Matthew Hunt, shot dead in the line of duty in Massey on Friday.
"Our thoughts are with Constable Hunt's family and the entire New Zealandpolice community mourning this tragic loss," a statement from Sky City said.
"We would like to convey our deepest gratitude for the hard work every New Zealand police officer displays in safeguarding our community."
NZ Police shared a photo of the blue Sky Tower on social media, thanking everyone for the tributes to the young Constable, whose life-long dream was always to serve in the police force.
He spent most of his career working frontline at Orewa and Helensville Stations before recently moving to work in the WaitematÄ Road Policing Team based at Harbour Bridge Station.
Hunt was raised on the Hibiscus Coast by his mother Diane, with his sister Eleanor.
He attended Orewa College.
"It was his life-long dream to be a police officer," his family said in a statement.
Before joining the police, he completed a BA in criminology and worked at Auckland Prison as a case manager.
He also spent time living in the United Kingdom before he returned to New Zealand to join the police.
"Matthew was a person of great integrity," his family said.
"His closest friends were like his brothers and sisters and they along with his family are absolutely heartbroken by what has happened.
"He was passionate about sport and his physical fitness and was thrilled to enjoy the recent Blues game at Eden Park with his mates."
