Palmerston North police station. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Police seized multiple firearms after being shot at from a fleeing vehicle in Palmerston North.
Three men, aged 18, 20 and 22, were expected to appear in the Palmerston North District Court on Monday.
Manawatū area commander Inspector Ross Grantham said about midday on Sunday, police spotted a car with no plates - believed to be stolen - in the Awapuni area.
The driver of the vehicle was signalled to stop, but immediately fled.
Police followed the vehicle through streets of Awapuni and then into Highbury, before one of the occupants fired numerous shots in the direction of the pursuing police car.
Police continued to follow at a safe distance, and a street in Highbury was cordoned.
A short time later the armed offenders squad arrived in the area and three men were arrested.
A subsequent search of an address located the car, a cut-down shotgun and two cut-down .22 firearms, all of them loaded, alongside ammunition.
Grantham said he was proud of the actions of the police officers in an "incredibly dangerous situation".
"The fact that three loaded firearms were found in the subsequent search is hugely concerning, but prompt action has meant that they are now off the street and three people are being held to account."
The investigation continued to see if there were any links to previous firearms.