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A school has been in lockdown this afternoon after a report of a person with a firearm at a property in the Hastings suburb of Flaxmere.
Police established a cordon in the Wilson Road area and advised nearby Peterhead School to lock down.
A school spokesperson said they were in lockdown for about 45 minutes, but that was lifted by police about 2.30pm.
"We understand that this can be a very upsetting experience for our children, but for the safety of your children it was the best thing to do," tumuaki (principal) Tineka (Waitoa) Tuala-Fata said in Facebook post for parents.
She said the action was a precaution in response to "a small incident unfolding just down the road from the school".
All the children were safe, she said.
Police confirmed the cordon had been taken down but the report of a firearm was still not verified.
Officers were conducting a search warrant at an address and speaking with occupants.