A police investigation is underway after a shooting in North Waikato forced a school into lockdown on Tuesday.
A large number of officers swarmed the town of Taupiri at around 9:30am after multiple gunshots were fired at a vehicle.
Waikato West Area Commander Inspector Will Loughrin told media one person was injured in the vicinity of Te Putu Street and Greenlane Road. The person is in Waikato Hospital with moderate injuries.
Insp Loughrin said the victim was known to the offender and the shooting isn't gang-related. He said multiple shots were fired.
"Officers who attended were armed as a precaution."
Insp Loughrin added the incident is "isolated" and reassured the public there is no ongoing risk.
He said police are investigating an incident that occurred on Monday which they believe is connected to Tuesday's events.
"We have subsequently executed a search warrant in relation to this."
Waikato District Mayor Allan Sanson told Stuff the man who was injured was dropping his child off at school when a man fired several shots at the car.
"The guy in the car after be fired at duly sped off and went straight [to] the Ngaruawahia Police station and reported the incident and sought medical attention.
"Apparently he wasn't directly hit by the shots, but he had abrasions that they imagine came from the shattering of the glass," Sanson told the outlet.
A nearby school was placed in lockdown as a precaution but there was no threat to the children at the school, he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Newshub journalist Karen Rutherford told Newshub at 11:30am a senior police officer told her an active shooter was in the area.
"Just in the last few moments, we have been approached by the senior police officer here that tells us there is an active shooter in the area.
"We can tell you that somebody has been injured and the school has been put into lockdown. I spoke to a parent who had just come to check on his daughter who has diabetes, he is extremely worried as the school is still in lockdown and officers carrying guns are surrounding the Taupiri town hall."
Footage from the scene shows a large number of police vehicles blocking the intersection between Te Putu St and Greenlane Rd with armed officers redirecting traffic that is arriving on the scene.
A Taupiri dairy owner told Newshub police arrived at the scene at around 9:30am and heard what they thought were gunshots.
The owner said they have closed the dairy and are staying inside, "so they feel safe".
Police have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward and speak to them.
"There will be an increased police presence in the area while the investigation is ongoing," police said.
"Anyone with information that could assist Police with enquiries is asked to contact Police on 105 and quote P050906999.
"Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111."
Insp Loughrin added gang tensions across the country are not related to the shooting.
"There is a specialist team of staff working on this to have the situation resolved as soon as possible."
