A gunman is reportedly on the loose in the lower North Island and police are warning residents of Norsewood, Ormondville and Takapau to stay indoors.
Residents needed to lock their doors and stay away from windows, police spokeswoman Kim Perks said.
The gunman reportedly shot a farmer in rural Norsewood, which is 20km northeast of Dannevirke.One News said a body had been found in a car, which also contained empty boxes of ammunition.
Several shot were reportedly fired and a man was seen with a gun near State Highway 2, about 10km from Norsewood, about 4pm, police said.The armed offenders squad had been called out and police had closed State Highway 2 between Norsewood and Waipukurau to the northeast.
Witnesses said traffic was backed up for nearly 5km.Police did not know when the road would reopen, but said diversions were in place.
It was not a siege situation, Ms Perks said.
