Recording of armed offenders squad radio communications has been recommended by the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
The recommendation was made in the authority's report on the police shooting of Shayne Sime, 42, in Christchurch last year.
Mr Sime was shot dead after peppering the street where he lived with 100 shotgun cartridges and 12 bullets from a high-calibre rifle, wounding a police officer and a neighbour.
The IPCA has found the police acted appropriately by shooting him.
But it says recording communications and orders on an encrypted radio channel, and in the command centre, would provide greater assurance and transparency when incidents are reviewed.
Assistant Police Commissioner Grant Nicholls says the recommendation will be considered.