The Hamilton man shot dead on Sunday has been described as a hard working and well-liked man.

Robert Nelson, 23, was killed in the early hours of Sunday morning.

His 20-year-old girlfriend and a 17-year-old man were injured, and remain in Waikato hospital in a serious and critical condition.

Mr Nelson was an aspiring chef at Keystone bar.

A spokeswoman for the bar, Aimee Laing, said Mr Nelson's co-workers are in shock.

"Rob was a very well-liked guy across our group, not just at Keystone, but at our other venues as well.

"Three of his family members actually worked for us as well, and it's been quite a shock to the system for the team and we're just taking each day as it comes."

She said the bar had been closed since yesterday.

A givealittle page had been set up to help pay for funeral costs.

Police said the house in Matthews Crescent, where the incident took place was targeted.

They said a number of shots were fired at the house at about 1am and those in the house were getting ready for bed at the time.

Police are still looking for the person responsible.

-RNZ