Part of a rural road in New Plymouth remains blocked off after last night's fatal police shooting. 

A person died on Devon Road, after they were shot during a traffic stop at 9.30pm on Saturday night. 

The road's closed between Mountain Road and De Havilland Drive and a detour's in place. 

Two security guards have blocked the main highway off with cones and are diverting traffic. 

A Herald reporter at the scene said it's usually a pretty busy thoroughfare in and out of New Plymouth so is likely to cause disruption today. 

Police are working to identify the person and notify next of kin. 

The incident occurred while police were conducting a vehicle stop on Devon Rd. 
 
The person shot by police was critically injured. 

"Medical assistance was immediately provided however, tragically, the person died at the scene," police said in a statement. 

They said the Independent Police Complaints Authority would be notified of the incident and a Critical Incident Investigation was under way. 

Support would be provided to the officers involved. 
 
Police have remained at the scene overnight and road closures will remain in place until a scene examination has been completed. 

Police said this morning that the stretch of Devon Rd between Mountain Road and De Havilland Drive remained closed following the fatal shooting last night.