An incident where a police officer was shot at in Northland on Tuesday could be linked to a kidnapping that occurred hours earlier, police believe.
At about 4:13am, a car pulled in front of a police vehicle and stopped in the middle of the road on State Highway 11 near the Puketona Junction with State Highway 10.
"Before the officer could get out of the patrol car, two males exited their vehicle and both presented firearms," police said in a statement
"The officer immediately retreated but one shot was fired at the vehicle which damaged the windscreen."
The officer was not harmed and quickly left the scene to call for backup.
In an update on Tuesday afternoon, police said it was investigating a kidnapping which was reported to have occurred near Waipapa in the Far North late on Monday night. It believes this incident could be connected to the shooting.
"The kidnapping incident was reported to Police at around 8am after the male victim approached a Matauri Bay property asking for help," Detective Inspector Dene Begbie said.
"Thankfully this man has not sustained serious injuries during the incident and he is speaking with us to ascertain a full set of circumstances."
The Armed Offenders Squad was deployed to the Matauri Bay area as a precaution, he added.
Police said it found a vehicle of interest in the kidnapping enquiry - a grey 2010 Nissan Skyline with the registration MWD839. It was set alight on Puketotara Rd near Okaihau at around 4:50am on Tuesday.
"We are still working to establish if the vehicle involved in the kidnapping matter was the same vehicle used in the State Highway 11 incident," Det Insp Begbie said.
"Information we have is that this vehicle is a silver or grey sedan.
"Both occupants who got out were believed to be male, were masked and of solid build."
Anyone with information or sightings of the Nissan Skyline is asked to contact Kerikeri police on 105, or information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
