Halatau Naitoko, 17 of Tongan descent, was killed when a stray bullet fired from a police rifle struck him in the chest as they chased an armed man.
Stephen Hohepa McDonald, 50, of New Lynn appeared in Auckland District Court, facing 29 charges in connection with the incident, including 10 of using a firearm against police officers.
Prime Minister John Key and Police Minister Judith Collins have expressed their condolences to the family of the dead man, and government involvement would go far beyond that.
Already financial assistance with the funeral had been offered, Key told reporters at his post cabinet briefing.
“I have asked personally for an indication of what compensation the family is likely to get,” Key said.
Legislative routes were not likely to cover all the funeral costs, so some help was possible there, he said.
At his request, officials were looking at compensation precedents for similar tragedies, though this was the first time an innocent member of the public had been shot dead by police.
In court, McDonald entered no plea and made no application for bail. Ten of the charges alleged using a firearm against police officers.
He was remanded in custody to appear again on Feb. 5. He was arrested after an incident in which a stolen car fled police along the Northwestern Motorway, then crashed.
Shots were exchanged between the man and police as he tried to hijack a vehicle which was caught up in the action.
Police said the bullet that killed Naitoko came from one of two M4 rifles fired by police.
