Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Police assisted by armed officers set up cordons in Khandallah, Wellington, as they carried out a search for a person of interest.
Residents on Mandalay Terrace were told to follow any police instructions during the search on Tuesday morning.
The armed offenders squad was brought in as a precaution, police said.
There was no immediate safety risk, they said.
Cashmere Avenue School is in the area and principal Kate Christie told RNZ police had assured her there was no safety concern for the school.
Police said they did not find the person they were looking for.
But a vehicle which appeared to have bullet holes was towed away for further forensic investigation, they said.