A New Zealand man shot in Jamaica died protecting his wife after she was pistol-whipped by an armed robber, his mother says.

Tiki Hunia, 27, and Nickie-Jean Hunia, who live in Hong Kong, were approached by a gunman in the yard of the guest house in which they were holidaying on Upper Montrose Rd - an expensive area known as the "Golden Triangle" in the Kingston suburb of St Andrew.

Gloria Hunia, mother of the slain man, said the couple had recently renewed their wedding vows in Las Vegas and were on a second honeymoon.