WELLINGTON - A WHEELCHAIR-BOUND gunman was shot dead by police marksmen after he injured two people in a shooting spree in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, police said on Monday.

Shayne Sime, 42, was shot and killed late Sunday night, after he fired more than 100 shots indiscriminately from a shotgun and rifle in his quiet suburban street, police said.

The man was believed to have been drinking earlier Sunday and had contacted family to say he was feeling suicidal, they said.

Detective Superintendent Brett Kane told reporters a 39-year-old man who lived in the same street as Sime was injured by shotgun pellets during the incident.

A police officer received a head wound from shotgun pellets but was wearing a helmet which prevented any serious injury, Detective Kane said.

Both of the injured were treated and released from hospital on Monday morning.

About 25 people from neighbouring houses in the suburb of Burnside had to stay overnight in a nearby school, after being evacuated from their homes during the shooting, Kane said.

Police arrived at about 8.30pm after neighbours reported shots being fired. Two hours later the policeman was injured and police returned fire, killing Sime inside his house. -- AFP