Ruatoria residents should expect a heavy police presence in the coming days after a suspected gang shootout.
Police were called about 9:20am on Sunday and are "working to understand the circumstances of the incident".
Residents of McClutchie Rd were asked to stay indoors.
A witness told Newshub he heard four or five gunshots, and believes it was a gang confrontation.
"We heard a vehicle take off at speed, and within about the next 30 seconds we heard a big crash. It crashed right outside the local Four Square supermarket. It looks like it rolled."
He said a Mongrel Mob member got out of the car, and he could see "a couple" of firearms. Another car soon arrived and took the unhurt driver and the weapons away before police arrived, he said.
"They sped off into the distance."
The witness said police appeared to have the situation under control now.
"Usually if we hear gunshots it's someone killing a pig... When you hear a couple of shots you take notice of them. But after the vehicle sped off, that's when we took notice."
He said a child was almost run over by one of the fleeing vehicles.
Police said at 10:50am they believed it to be an isolated incident and the parties involved to be known to each other, and "related to a vehicle collision on Waiomatatini Rd".
"Residents should expect a continued police presence in the area," they said. "Anyone with information that may assist this investigation is urged to contact police on 105 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
