An emergency department director has played down safety concerns after armed police were forced to stand guard at two Auckland hospitals over the weekend.
Armed police were guarding Middlemore Hospital and Auckland City Hospital on Saturday night.
The police presence was related to an ongoing investigation into two homicides last week - one in Auckland’s CBD and another at Point England Reserve.
Counties Manukau interim director Dr Vanessa Thornton told AM armed police were at the two hospitals to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
"We work closely with the police and our security team as a preventive measure when we have escalating tensions in the community," she said.
"So the police contact us and we work closely with them across our hospitals just to ensure the safety of patients and staff at our hospitals."
Dr Thornton told AM hospitals have always had protocols in place for security so patients can continue to attend even when emergency situations arise.
She said staff felt safe and weren't scared despite armed police at the two hospitals.
"I think this can be a challenging environment but I spoke with the staff on Saturday and they felt quite confident working with the police as we do in many different scenarios," she said.
When asked if armed police at hospitals will become normal in emergency situations, Dr Thornton denied that saying it's a very occasional event.
"When police do arrive, it just increases the confidence for our patients and for our staff to know they're safe if any situation were to arise," she said.
While most people might look at armed police at hospitals in a scary or bad way, Dr Thornton said she felt reassured police were able to respond.
"I feel reassured that the police respond if we have a threat in the community to the hospital and it helps us to feel safer if the police do respond," she told AM.
"So it's a reassurance to us that the police who are often very busy do respond in a preventive type manner to any threat that comes to a hospital across New Zealand or in particular, Middlemore or Auckland or the Auckland Metro."
Manhunt continues for multiple suspects
Multiple manhunts are underway in Auckland following two separate shootings just days apart.
Police are searching for 24-year-old Dariush Talagi, who is wanted in connection to Thursday's deadly Queen St shooting.
Two people were rushed to hospital in critical condition after one was shot in the head, and the other in the abdomen.
Police launched a homicide investigation on Friday after one of them died in hospital. Officers are seeking Talagi and warn he is "considered dangerous".
Another homicide investigation was launched after a man died following an incident in an Auckland reserve on Saturday afternoon.
Police said they were called to Taurima Reserve in Point England after several reports of disorder and sounds of gunshots.
After this, a man arrived at Auckland Hospital in a critical condition with gunshot wounds. He later died of his injuries.
On Sunday morning it was revealed a second person had arrived at hospital - this time Middlemore Hospital - so armed police guarded the two hospitals on Saturday evening.
Police confirmed to Newshub there was no longer an armed police presence at both hospitals and are investigating if the two people arriving at hospitals with injuries are related.
So far police have not arrested anyone for the shooting at Taurima Reserve.
Meanwhile, police launched a third homicide inquiry following a shooting in Palmerston North on Sunday.
Police were called to a Croydon Avenue property after a report of gunshots. One person was found with critical injuries and died at the scene a short time later.
Newshub understands the incident is gang-related.
