Armed police officers aren't part of New Zealand's identity.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has confirmed Armed Response Teams won't be established - after initial evaluation of a six month trial of the units in Counties Manukau, Waikato and Canterbury that ended in April.

He told Heather Du Plessis-Allan community consultation made it clear Kiwis don't believe they are needed.

"One of the things that has come through loud and clear is the style of policing that New Zealanders want, so we'll absolutely take learnings from it and we'll move forward."

He says that they need the vast majority of public support for how the Police operate.

"There is not sufficient support for Armed Response Teams for us to continue with them."

Coster says he wants to reiterate he is committed to keeping the New Zealand Police a generally unarmed service.

He says that there is no "gaping hole" in how they deal with firearms incidents, but there is always room to evolve. 

Police Association President Chris Cahill says the teams were meant to deal with at-risk communities, and police still need to find a way.

He says the axing doesn't solve the problem of firearm violence in New Zealand.

• Police won’t keep Armed Response Teams following their months-long trial