Police have confirmed they shot a man at a Hawke's Bay school on Tuesday.
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Flaxmere Primary School went into a lockdown shortly after 2pm.
This afternoon, police confirmed a man had been shot after reports of threats towards a staff member.
They said they had been initially advised he was carrying a firearm, and appeared to have one when they found him.
Officers immediately gave him medical attention, police said.
"Police deal with dynamic and fast moving critical situations every day and our absolute priority is safety, in this instance the students' and staff members," they said in a statement.
Ambulance confirmed a man had been taken to Hawke's Bay hospital in a critical condition after the events on the grounds of the school on Henderson Road in Hastings.
Principal Robyn Isaacson said staff and students had responded well after the shooting on school grounds.
Isaacson said the school regularly ran drills to prepare for a shooting on school grounds.
Children and staff remained in their classrooms or were rushed inside while the police responded to the shooting.
Isaacson said the police made staff and students feel safe.
Support was being offered to anyone affected by the incident.
Councillor Peleti Oli said when he heard the news he rushed to the school and saw parents queued outside anxiously waiting for their children.
Police said they were not looking for anyone in relation to the shooting, but cordons were still in place.