A man fired multiple shots at a vehicle close to a rural Waikato school this morning.
Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Police said Taupiri Primary School was briefly put into lockdown as a precaution.
At about 9.30am a person started to fire at a car in front of several witnesses on Te Putu Street and Greenlane Ave, Taupiri.
One person has been injured and is in a stable condition in Waikato Hospital.
West Waikato area commander inspector Will Loughrin said officers who attended were armed as a precaution.
Police said the victim and offender knew each other and they did not believe there was any risk to the community from the incident.
"Police are currently investigating an incident that occurred yesterday which we believe is connected to what happened this morning.
"We have subsequently executed a search warrant in relation to this.
"This investigation remains ongoing."
It was not related to nationwide gang tensions, he said.
"We understand there will be unease in the community, we have a significant police presence in the area, and we will maintain that for as long as we need to," Loughrin said.
"There is a specialist team of staff working on this to have the situation resolved as soon as possible.
"We understand there were multiple witnesses who saw or heard this altercation, we ask them to please come forward as we continue to investigate the incident."
Anyone who feels unsafe or has details about the incident is asked to contact police immediately.
Waikato District mayor Allan Sanson said the shooting had shocked the community.
"Understanding from the police that I spoke to at lunchtime, as a gentleman dropped his child off at the Taupiri School this morning, obviously at school time, and as he was leaving the scene about 100 metres from the school, another gentleman of interest fired shots into his car.
"I understand there was three shots fired at the car which actually hit the vehicle.
"The man obviously sped off from that and came directly through to Ngaruawahia Police Station where he sought help and care ... from somebody that was trying to take shots at him."
Waikato District mayor Allan Sanson. Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae
Sanson believed it was a random attack but was concerned that somebody thought it was ok to use a gun around a school, houses and shops.
"It's not alright for somebody to do that and I was quite disappointed and pretty peeved off actually that he did that."
He said police were talking to interested parties and charges would be laid in time.