Wellington  - A plain-clothed New Zealand police officer was shot dead and another officer wounded after they were disturbed installing a tracking device on a suspect vehicle early Thursday in Mangere, near Auckland, police said.

Superintendent Ted Cox said the officers were chased down the road and shot with a rifle.

The wounded officer was hospitalized and will undergo surgery for injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening.

News reports said the targeted vehicle was believed to be parked outside a property producing methamphetamine, or P as it is known in New Zealand, which police regard as their biggest illegal drug scourge.

Police said they were interviewing two suspects. (dpa)