Thursday night's shooting in Ōtara, south Auckland, was sparked by an earlier altercation between two groups outside some shops, police believe.
Three people were injured in the attack, which took place just after 7pm and was carried out by a person in a vehicle armed with a shotgun.
Police say it was likely related to an incident not long prior, in which two groups were involved in an incident outside the Ferguson Rd shops.
The shooting took place at the intersection of Preston Rd and Kudu Rd, less than a kilometre away from the original altercation.
Three people were in the car at the time of the attack. Their victims, three males aged 14 to 21, were walking along Kudu Rd when a vehicle pulled up beside them.
After they got into a confrontation, someone in the car pulled out the weapon - believed to be a shotgun - and fired two shots.
All three were hit, and taken to Middlemore Hospital. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
One man suffered moderate injuries and may require surgery, while the others suffered superficial injuries. One of the victims has since been discharged.
Neighbours who live across the street from where the shooting happened say they saw a car drive off and three men running down the street in the opposite direction.
The injured men ran to a friend's house 300 metres away on Preston Rd. A man at the house told Newshub they called an ambulance and the men are being treated at Middlemore Hospital.
He says the injured men were just walking down the street when the shooting happened, and claims it was a random attack.
Police told him and his family to leave the house for at least the night over fears those responsible for the shooting could return.
The friend, who didn't want to give his name, was packing clothes and other items into his car at the house when he spoke to Newshub about 9:15pm.
Newshub spoke to several other people in the area; some said shootings were happening all too often in the area, while others said it was normally a nice, quiet neighbourhood.
Detective Senior Sergeant Eddie Sutherland said police were treating the incident seriously and are speaking to a number of witnesses in their efforts to track down the perpetrators.
Police are also reviewing CCTV footage in an effort to identify the vehicle and offenders involved, they say.
If you saw something, call Counties Manukau police on (09) 2611 321 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Newshub.
