Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A shopper at Auckland's Manukau Mall says she spent an hour locked inside a library, after reports of a person holding something that looked like a gun.
Westfield Manukau went into a "precautionary" lockdown shortly after 1pm, after a report was made about a "concerning person" near the mall, said a police spokesperson.
"At around 1.10pm, a person had been seen in the vicinity of some stores with an object in their hand.
"Police are aware of speculation surrounding this person, however it has not been established that this was a firearm".
Manukau local Shirl'e was on her way to the library when the lockdown began and said it had been a "pretty scary" experience.
"All the door to the mall were shut and we were told we had to stay inside and had no idea what was going on.
"There were security guards running around telling stores to close their doors - it was all so sudden."
Shirl'e said she was glad no one had been hurt during the incident, which she had been told by security staff involved an angry customer.
The police spokesperson said the person who caused the lockdown was seen leaving the area a short time later and had not been found by police.
Police were making inquires to try and find the person.
"The lockdown was lifted once it was established the person had left the area."