murder of Matthew Hunt

Matthew Hunt was a 28-year-old constable born on 30 July 1991{{Citation|title=Funeral service for slain Auckland police officer Matthew Hunt|url=https://www.facebook.com/1NEWSNZ/videos/funeral-service-for-slain-auckland-police-officer-matthew-hunt/841673869572791/|language=en|access-date=2020-07-10}} who had served in the New Zealand Police for two and half years. He spent the majority of his time as a frontline officer in his hometown, Orewa, before being transferred for a temporary rotation to the Impairment Prevention Team based at the Auckland Harbour Bridge Police Station.{{Cite news|title=Massey, west Auckland shooting: Offender still on the loose, police officer confirmed dead – Police Commissioner|language=en|work=Newshub |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/06/massey-west-auckland-shooting-offender-still-on-the-loose-police-officer-confirmed-dead-police-commissioner.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622023531/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/06/massey-west-auckland-shooting-offender-still-on-the-loose-police-officer-confirmed-dead-police-commissioner.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 June 2020|access-date=2020-07-10}}{{Cite news|title=Police name officer killed in Massey shooting as Constable Matthew Hunt|language=en-NZ|work=1News|publisher=TVNZ|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/police-name-officer-killed-in-massey-shooting-constable-matthew-hunt|access-date=2020-07-10}} When Hunt joined in October 2017, he joined as a part of Wing 312 trained at the Royal New Zealand Police College at Papakōwhai. He was raised by his mother alongside his sister in the Hibiscus Coast and attended Orewa College.{{Cite news|last=Boyle|first=Chelsea|date=2020-06-19|title=Slain police officer in west Auckland named as Constable Matthew Dennis Hunt|language=en-NZ|work=The New Zealand Herald|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12341467|access-date=2020-07-10|issn=1170-0777}} According to his family, Hunt's "life-long dream" was to be a police officer after studying criminology and working in prisons.{{cite news |title=New Zealand police shooting: Man charged with murder after hunt |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53102988 |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=BBC News |date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622200937/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53102988 |archive-date=22 June 2020}}{{cite news |title=Auckland shooting accused appears in court as police search for second suspect |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/20/auckland-shooting-accused-appears-in-court-as-police-search-for-second-suspect |access-date=26 June 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=20 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215135354/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/20/auckland-shooting-accused-appears-in-court-as-police-search-for-second-suspect|archive-date=15 December 2020|url-status=live}}

On 19 June at 10:37 am Constable Matthew Hunt and his partner, Constable David Goldfinch, were shot after a car they had tried to pull over crashed on Reynella Drive in Massey, Auckland. Hunt and his colleague attempted to render first aid to the vehicle occupants; however the driver emerged armed and Hunt was killed during the shooting that followed. His colleague was wounded and admitted to hospital. Neither Hunt nor his colleague were armed with a firearm at the time. A member of the public was also injured by a vehicle during the incident.{{cite news |last1=Leask |first1=Anna |title='Gunned down and slaughtered' – Police officer killed, another wounded by gunman in West Auckland |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12341441 |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621224527/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12341441 |archive-date=21 June 2020}} According to police, the suspect fled into a silver Mazda Demio following the shooting and later abandoned the vehicle.

In response, the police including members of the Armed Offenders Squad and Eagle helicopters launched a manhunt for the perpetrators and searched vehicles. Eight schools in Massey were also placed in lockdown including Massey High School and Don Buck Primary School. Armed police officers also guarded police stations.

Several hours after the shooting, the police stormed a home in Rena Place in Auckland's West Harbour. In addition, police also arrested a fleeing driver on the Lincoln Road overbridge in the Northeast Motorway after using road spikes to stop his car. The police also spoke to two persons of interest. Later that night, a 24-year-old man was charged with murder, attempted murder and dangerous driving causing injury. The man briefly appeared in the Waitakere district court on 20 June where he was formally arraigned and remanded into custody until his next court appearance on 8 July.

On 20 June, the police announced that they were looking for a 30-year-old woman named Natalie Bracken in relation to the shooting incident. She was charged with driving charges and as an accessory to the murder. Later that day, the police took Bracken into custody in West Auckland and confirmed that she was assisting police inquiries.{{cite web |title=UPDATE: Police locate Natalie Bracken |url=https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/update-police-locate-natalie-bracken |publisher=New Zealand Police |access-date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626053327/https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/update-police-locate-natalie-bracken|archive-date=26 June 2020}}{{cite news |title=Woman arrested over fatal West Auckland shooting of police officer |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/woman-arrested-over-fatal-west-auckland-shooting-police-officer |access-date=26 June 2020 |work=1News |date=20 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622003556/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/woman-arrested-over-fatal-west-auckland-shooting-police-officer |archive-date=22 June 2020}}

In early July 2020, Eli Epiha appeared in the Auckland High Court where he pleaded not guilty to murdering Hunt and the attempted murder of the second police officer (the then yet unnamed Constable David Goldfinch). He also pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, causing injury to a member of the public.{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Catrin |title=Auckland police shooting: Man denies murdering Constable Matthew Hunt |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/122064310/auckland-police-shooting-man-denies-murdering-constable-matthew-hunt?rm=a |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=Stuff |date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712020917/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/122064310/auckland-police-shooting-man-denies-murdering-constable-matthew-hunt?rm=a |archive-date=12 July 2021|url-status=live}} On 14 August, Epiha's name suppression lapsed after he abandoned his appeal for name suppression.{{Cite news|last=Owen|first=Catrin|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300082738/auckland-police-shooting-alleged-murderer-can-now-be-named|title=Auckland police shooting: Alleged murderer can now be named|work=Stuff|date=14 August 2020|access-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204133209/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300082738/auckland-police-shooting-alleged-murderer-can-now-be-named|archive-date=4 February 2021|url-status=live}}

In early July 2021, Epiha pleaded guilty to Hunt's murder and dangerous driving causing injury after fleeing police. However, Epiha pleaded not guilty to the alleged attempted murder of the second police officer, who was identified as Goldfinch. On 12 July, Judge Geoffrey Venning convened a jury for Epiha's trial for the attempted murder of Goldfinch. In addition, suppression of Epiha's earlier guilty pleas and a non-publication order of images of the defendant was also lifted.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/07/matthew-hunt-eli-epiha-pleads-guilty-to-murdering-police-officer-in-auckland-shooting.html|title=Matthew Hunt: Eli Epiha pleads guilty to murdering police officer in Auckland shooting|work=Newshub|date=12 July 2021|access-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914184551/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/07/matthew-hunt-eli-epiha-pleads-guilty-to-murdering-police-officer-in-auckland-shooting.html|archive-date=14 September 2021|url-status=dead}}

On 27 July 2021, Epiha was found guilty of the attempted murder of Goldfinch. During the trial, the defendant had maintained that he did not intend to kill Goldfinch. The jury took {{frac|11|1|2}} hours of deliberate, eventually requiring Justice Venning to allow a majority (11-to-1) verdict and give a Papadopoulos direction to break the deadlock.{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Catrin |title=Auckland police shooting: Eli Epiha found guilty of attempting to murder constable |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300363960/auckland-police-shooting-eli-epiha-found-guilty-of-attempting-to-murder-constable?rm=a |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=Stuff |date=27 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811072923/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300363960/auckland-police-shooting-eli-epiha-found-guilty-of-attempting-to-murder-constable?rm=a |archive-date=11 August 2021|url-status=live}}

On 10 December 2021, Epiha was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 27 years. During the sentencing, Justice Venning rejected the defendant's claim that he had acted recklessly without intention. He also declined the Crown prosecutor's recommendation that Epiha be sentenced to life imprisonment without parole, taking into account the defendant's age, history of violence and lack of remorse. The victim's mother Diane also described Epiha's apology as "vacuous" and described the devastating impact of Hunt's death on her life in her victim impact statement.{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Catrin |title=At least 27 years in jail for Eli Epiha who murdered Constable Matthew Hunt |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/127219114/at-least-27-years-in-jail-for-eli-epiha-who-murdered-constable-matthew-hunt |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=Stuff |date=10 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210114046/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/127219114/at-least-27-years-in-jail-for-eli-epiha-who-murdered-constable-matthew-hunt |archive-date=10 December 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Matthew Hunt: Killer of New Zealand policeman sentenced to life in jail |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-59604779 |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=BBC News |date=10 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210114215/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-59604779 |archive-date=10 December 2021|url-status=live}}

On 7 October 2022, Epiha and his lawyer Mark Edgar appealed against his sentence to the Court of Appeal, arguing that life imprisonment was unjustifiably harsh and prevented rehabilitation. Edgar claimed that Epiha had been treated harshly in comparison to other convicted murderers including Daniel Luff and Russell John Tully. Edgar also argued that Justice Venning had elevated the victims because they were police. In response, Crown lawyer Brian Dickey defended Epiha's sentence of life imprisonment, arguing that the defendant had made a determined effort to kill the police officers despite lacking premeditation. Dickey argued that Epiha posed a serious risk to public safety if released and emphasised that the defendant had delayed pleading guilty to Hunt's murder.{{cite news |last1=Bhamidipati |first1=Soumya |title=Fatal shooting of Matthew Hunt: Family relive tragedy as Eli Epiha appeals sentence |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/476232/fatal-shooting-of-matthew-hunt-family-relive-tragedy-as-eli-epiha-appeals-sentence |access-date=12 October 2022 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=7 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006220937/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/476232/fatal-shooting-of-matthew-hunt-family-relive-tragedy-as-eli-epiha-appeals-sentence |archive-date=6 October 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Laura |title=Constable Matthew Hunt's murderer appeals 'harsh' sentence |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/10/06/constable-matthew-hunts-murderer-appeals-harsh-sentence/ |access-date=12 October 2022 |work=1News |publisher=TVNZ |date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006073028/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/10/06/constable-matthew-hunts-murderer-appeals-harsh-sentence/ |archive-date=6 October 2022|url-status=live}}

On 27 November 2022, the Court of Appeal rejected Epiha's appeal against his 27 year prison sentence, arguing that the sentence was not "manifestly excessive" and that the community needed protection from a violent man.{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Catrin |title=Constance Matthew Hunt's killer fails to have 27-year jail sentence reduced |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300720993/constable-matthew-hunts-killer-fails-to-have-27year-jail-sentence-reduced |access-date=10 November 2022 |work=Stuff |date=26 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105003111/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300720993/constable-matthew-hunts-killer-fails-to-have-27year-jail-sentence-reduced |archive-date=5 November 2022|url-status=live}}

In July 2021, Epiha's accomplice Natalie Bracken faced trial for being an accessory after the fact of murder. Following her arrest, Bracken had claimed that Epiha had threatened her at gunpoint into driving him away following the shooting of the police officers.{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Catrin |title=Auckland police shooting: 'Drive, drive. I just killed a cop', gunman alleged to have said |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300362587/auckland-police-shooting-drive-drive-i-just-killed-a-cop-gunman-alleged-to-have-said?rm=a |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=Stuff |date=21 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914184554/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300362587/auckland-police-shooting-drive-drive-i-just-killed-a-cop-gunman-alleged-to-have-said?rm=a |archive-date=14 September 2021|url-status=live}} During the trial, a cellphone video by a member of the public was played showing Bracken obtaining the keys to a car that was parked on Massey's Reynella Drive and departing with Epiha in the passenger seat.{{cite news |last1=Wilkins |first1=Alice |title=Matthew Hunt: Getaway driver Natalie Bracken sentenced to 12 months in prison |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/10/matthew-hunt-getaway-driver-natalie-bracken-sentenced-to-12-months-in-prison.html |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=Newshub |date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015203535/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/10/matthew-hunt-getaway-driver-natalie-bracken-sentenced-to-12-months-in-prison.html |archive-date=15 October 2021}} Bracken's defence lawyer Adam Couchman claimed that she had driven Epiha from the scene with the aim of protecting people and preventing further bloodshed. Prosecutor Brian Dickey disputed Bracken's claim, pointing out that Bracken had not disarmed Epiha and facilitated his escape.{{cite news |last1=Weekes |first1=John |title=Constable Matt Hunt trial: Natalie Bracken a shameless loser and coward, Hunt's mum says |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/constable-matt-hunt-trial-natalie-bracken-a-shameless-loser-and-coward-hunts-mum-says/LFMP6VKUCPGFTSKZFKRLGRXT4A/ |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014205142/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/constable-matt-hunt-trial-natalie-bracken-a-shameless-loser-and-coward-hunts-mum-says/LFMP6VKUCPGFTSKZFKRLGRXT4A/ |archive-date=14 October 2021}}

On 27 July 2021, Bracken was convicted of being an accessory after the fact of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. On 1 October 2021, Bracken was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment for her role as an accessory to causing grievous bodily harm. Justice Venning rejected the defendant's claim that she had acted under compulsion to protect others, stating that she had the opportunity to run away or to hide in her house instead of returning to her house to obtain her car keys.{{cite news |last1=Owen |first1=Catrin |title=Auckland police shooting: Eli Epiha's getaway driver sentenced to 12 months imprisonment |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300419720/auckland-police-shooting-eli-epihas-getaway-driver-sentenced-to-12-months-imprisonment |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=Stuff |date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125100308/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300419720/auckland-police-shooting-eli-epihas-getaway-driver-sentenced-to-12-months-imprisonment |archive-date=25 November 2021|url-status=live}} Hunt's mother Diane Hunt also criticised the defendant for helping the killer escape and her perceived selfishness during the trial.

In February 2022, Bracken was required to appear in court in Kaitaia for breaching her bail conditions, but she failed to appear and an arrest warrant was issued.{{cite news |last1=Curtis |first1=Sarah |title=Northland woman who helped Matthew Hunt's killer fails to show up in Kaitaia court |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/northland-woman-who-helped-matthew-hunts-killer-fails-to-show-up-in-kaitaia-court/3JGZ7B3IVAKMXDUVPLJYYINJDE/ |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=The Northern Advocate |date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702070017/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/northland-woman-who-helped-matthew-hunts-killer-fails-to-show-up-in-kaitaia-court/3JGZ7B3IVAKMXDUVPLJYYINJDE/ |archive-date=2 July 2023|url-status=live}} In December 2022, Bracken attempted to hide nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine during a Police raid in her Auckland home. She and her partner Zion Hamuera Holtz subsequently pleaded guilty in mid September 2023 to joint charges of possessing methamphetamine for supply, and offering to supply a Class A drug.{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Jared |title=Cop killer's getaway driver caught throwing nearly 1kg of meth out window during police raid |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/lets-flood-the-market-cop-killers-getaway-driver-caught-throwing-nearly-1kg-meth-out-window-during-police-raid/ETGMJBZSFZFZFP4ND35GOFZSZI/ |access-date=18 September 2023 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=17 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917023416/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/lets-flood-the-market-cop-killers-getaway-driver-caught-throwing-nearly-1kg-meth-out-window-during-police-raid/ETGMJBZSFZFZFP4ND35GOFZSZI/ |archive-date=17 September 2023|url-status=live}} In February 2024, Bracken was jailed for five years and nine months after being convicted of assisting another man with a commercial-scale methamphetamine enterprise.{{cite news |last1=Kapitan |first1=Craig |title=Natalie Bracken, who helped Eli Epiha after killing of Constable Matthew Hunt in Auckland, jailed for meth supply |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/natalie-bracken-who-helped-eli-epiha-after-killing-of-constable-matthew-hunt-in-auckland-jailed-for-meth-supply/27FHN64TGND7VICTSCMIDZCFME/ |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=23 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821230115/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/crime/natalie-bracken-who-helped-eli-epiha-after-killing-of-constable-matthew-hunt-in-auckland-jailed-for-meth-supply/27FHN64TGND7VICTSCMIDZCFME/ |archive-date=21 August 2024}}

File:Blue in honour of Constable Matthew Dennis Hunt (1) (50028852247) (cropped).jpg lit up blue in tribute, 21 June 2020]]

In response to the shooting, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster stated that "the incident points to the real risk that our officers face as they go about their jobs every day." He confirmed that police officers were not armed at the time and reiterated his commitment to an unarmed police service.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern offered her condolences in Parliament, stating that "our police officers work hard every day to keep us and our communities safe."{{cite news |last1=Devlin |first1=Collette |title=Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters tells Parliament 'police lives matter' after death of Constable Matthew Hunt |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/121922503/deputy-prime-minister-winston-peters-tells-parliament-police-lives-matter-after-death-of-constable-matthew-hunt |access-date=26 June 2020 |work=Stuff |date=24 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624214523/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/121922503/deputy-prime-minister-winston-peters-tells-parliament-police-lives-matter-after-death-of-constable-matthew-hunt |archive-date=24 June 2020}} Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters stated that "police lives matter" during his tribute to Hunt. National Member of Parliament Mark Mitchell, who was a former police officer, read a tribute from Hunt's mother and recounted an incident in which Hunt convinced a knife-wielding offender to lower his weapon. Greens co-leader James Shaw also paid tribute to Hunt, stating that it was a "heartbreaking reminder" that a police officer's life could be taken at any moment.{{cite news |last1=Sadler |first1=Rachel |title=National MP Mark Mitchell reads emotional tribute to Constable Matthew Hunt |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/06/national-mp-mark-mitchell-reads-emotional-tribute-to-constable-matthew-hunt.html |access-date=26 June 2020 |work=Newshub |date=23 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624204856/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/06/national-mp-mark-mitchell-reads-emotional-tribute-to-constable-matthew-hunt.html |archive-date=24 June 2020}}

On 20 June 2020, the Sky Tower in Auckland lit up in police blue colours in honour of the death of Hunt.{{Cite news|date=20 June 2020|title=Auckland police shooting: Sky Tower turns blue to honour slain police officer Matthew Hunt|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/121893720/auckland-police-shooting-sky-tower-turns-blue-to-honour-slain-police-officer-matthew-hunt|access-date=10 December 2021|work=Stuff|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421210414/https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/121893720/auckland-police-shooting-sky-tower-turns-blue-to-honour-slain-police-officer-matthew-hunt|archive-date=21 April 2021|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=21 June 2020|title=Police shooting: Sky Tower lights up in blue to honour Constable Matthew Hunt|language=en-NZ|work=The New Zealand Herald|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/police-shooting-sky-tower-lights-up-in-blue-to-honour-constable-matthew-hunt/UM67EEXJOBGDI24SZVMZGSKQQE/|access-date=10 December 2021|issn=1170-0777|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430062545/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/police-shooting-sky-tower-lights-up-in-blue-to-honour-constable-matthew-hunt/UM67EEXJOBGDI24SZVMZGSKQQE/|archive-date=30 April 2021|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Ensor|first=James|title=Sky Tower bright blue to honour fallen police officer Matthew Hunt|language=en|work=Newshub|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/06/sky-tower-bright-blue-to-honour-fallen-police-officer-matthew-hunt.html|date=20 June 2020|access-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722020903/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/06/sky-tower-bright-blue-to-honour-fallen-police-officer-matthew-hunt.html|archive-date=22 July 2020|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |title='There is no higher price' – police pay tribute to slain officer Matthew Hunt |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/419504/there-is-no-higher-price-police-pay-tribute-to-slain-officer-matthew-hunt |access-date=23 June 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=21 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621091826/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/419504/there-is-no-higher-price-police-pay-tribute-to-slain-officer-matthew-hunt |archive-date=21 June 2020}}

On 22 June, it was reported that two relatives of Hunt, who had travelled from Australia to attend his funeral, had expressed frustration that they had to undergo quarantine in Rotorua as they wanted all relatives that had travelled from overseas to quarantine together for two weeks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand.{{cite news |title=Frustration as Matthew Hunt's family quarantined in Rotorua |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12341627 |access-date=26 June 2020 |work=New Zealand Herald |date=22 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625033048/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12341627 |archive-date=25 June 2020}} On 22 June, the Government granted permission for family members of Hunt, traveling from overseas, to quarantine together in Auckland.{{cite news |title=Family of slain police officer Matthew Hunt granted permission to isolate together in Auckland |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/family-slain-police-officer-matthew-hunt-granted-permission-isolate-together-in-auckland |access-date=26 June 2020 |work=1News |publisher=TVNZ |date=24 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625005316/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/family-slain-police-officer-matthew-hunt-granted-permission-isolate-together-in-auckland |archive-date=25 June 2020}}

On 26 June, police officers across the country held a minute of silence in honour of Hunt. 100 police officers gathered in Auckland's Aotea Square to pay tribute to their comrade. Hunt's sister, father, uncle and aunt watched from their hotel rooms above, whilst in quarantine.{{cite news |last1=Earley |first1=Melanie |last2=Woolf |first2=Amber-Leigh |last3=Tokalau-Chandra |first3=Torika |title=Auckland police shooting: Officers across country pay tribute to Matthew Hunt |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300042793/auckland-police-shooting-officers-across-country-pay-tribute-to-matthew-hunt |access-date=26 June 2020 |work=Stuff |date=26 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201092221/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300042793/auckland-police-shooting-officers-across-country-pay-tribute-to-matthew-hunt|archive-date=1 December 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Police across NZ honour fallen officer Constable Matthew Hunt with minute's silence |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/police-across-nz-honour-fallen-officer-constable-matthew-hunt-minutes-silence |access-date=26 June 2020 |work=1News |date=26 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626050759/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/police-across-nz-honour-fallen-officer-constable-matthew-hunt-minutes-silence |archive-date=26 June 2020}}

On 9 July, Hunt's funeral was held, and on that night, the Auckland Sky Tower lit up in varying shades of blue to mark his funeral.{{Cite news|title=Watch: Sky Tower lights up police blue to mark funeral of Constable Matthew Hunt|language=en-NZ|work=1News |publisher=TVNZ|url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/watch-sky-tower-lights-up-police-blue-mark-funeral-constable-matthew-hunt|date=9 July 2020|access-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815110420/https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/watch-sky-tower-lights-up-police-blue-mark-funeral-constable-matthew-hunt|archive-date=15 August 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=Auckland police shooting: Sky Tower to light up for Matthew Hunt's funeral|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300050152/auckland-police-shooting-sky-tower-to-light-up-for-matthew-hunts-funeral|date=6 July 2021|access-date=10 December 2021|work=Stuff|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207233454/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300050152/auckland-police-shooting-sky-tower-to-light-up-for-matthew-hunts-funeral|archive-date=7 December 2020|url-status=live}}

On 19 December 2023, it was announced an inquiry into Hunt's death would not happen due to recommendations being already addressed by police.{{cite news |title=Coronial inquiry into Constable Matthew Hunt's death ruled out |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/505110/coronial-inquiry-into-constable-matthew-hunt-s-death-ruled-out |access-date=20 December 2023 |work=RNZ |date=19 December 2023 |language=en-nz}}

File:Matt Hunt NZBD posthumous presentation.jpg from the governor-general, Dame Cindy Kiro, at Government House, Auckland, on 20 May 2025]]

On 6 December 2024, Hunt was posthumously awarded the New Zealand Bravery Decoration.{{Cite web |title=Commissioner congratulates NZ Bravery Award recipients |url=https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/commissioner-congratulates-nz-bravery-award-recipients?nondesktop |access-date=2024-12-06 |website=New Zealand Police |language=en-NZ}} Hunt's mother, Diane Hunt, received the insignia of the award at a ceremony at Government House, Auckland, on 20 May 2025.{{cite web |url=https://gg.govt.nz/image-galleries/10629/media?page=0 |title=Investiture Ceremony 20 May AM |date=20 May 2025 |website=Government House |access-date=22 May 2025}}

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Category:2020 crimes in New Zealand

Category:2020 murders in Oceania

Category:2020s murders in New Zealand

Category:2020s in Auckland

Category:Crime in Auckland

Hunt, Matthew

Hunt, Matthew

Category:June 2020 crimes in Oceania

Category:June 2020 in New Zealand

Hunt, Matthew

Category:People educated at Orewa College