Seven people have been arrested and a firearm recovered, after two people were critically injured in firearms-related incidents in Wellington this morning.
Dixon Street has been cordoned off at its intersection with Taranaki Street. Photo: RNZ / Jake McKee
The incidents, one in the central city and another in Tawa, are believed to be linked, police said in a statement.
Just after 5am police were called to Dixon Street after reports two people were injured.
They were both transported to Wellington Hospital where they remain in critical condition.
Two people were later arrested in relation to this incident, police said.
A short time later, a second firearms incident was reported at about 7am outside a residence in Tawa. Multiple shots were reportedly fired from a vehicle, but no injuries were reported.
Five people were arrested shortly afterwards in a vehicle travelling north on SH59.
"Police believe these were not random attacks," they said in a statement.
"We acknowledge these events are extremely distressing for the local community and there will be an increased police presents while the investigation remains ongoing."
The one-way Dixon Street is cordoned off at its intersection with Taranaki Street, including an adjacent carpark that lines a string of shops, and is expected to remain blocked off from the public for a number of hours.
A scene examination is underway, with a number of small yellow and orange evidence cones dotted around.
Next to a string of motor scooters looked to be a red shotgun shell, and a ball of material next to another cone appears to be covered with blood.
A police officer could be heard telling people trying to access a Les Mills gym behind the cordon that "it's a nice day to go for a run".
A small section next to a car rental store about 50 metres west of the cordon and a number of rubbish bins in neighbouring Te Aro Park have been taped off.
RNZ understands police want to look through the rubbish for any possible evidence before the bins are cleared by Wellington City Council.
Anyone with information is asked to phone police on 105, quoting event number P050338863, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.