Search on for drive-by shooters

Police at the scene of the drive-by shooting in Waipukurau. Photo/Duncan Brown

Police are hunting for the culprits in a drive-by shooting in Waipukurau at the weekend that left a house significantly damaged by shotgun fire.

Police said two shots were fired from a vehicle at a home in Racecourse Rd, Waipukurau, about 6.30pm on Saturday.

Detective Sergeant Heath Jones said a family of three adults and two children were in the house at the time of the attack but were all uninjured.

"It's very fortunate that no one was hurt.

"This could have had a catastrophic result."

The shots had caused damage to the exterior, and parts of the interior, of the house.

Some of the discharge from the shotgun had gone through a kitchen window.

A Mackie St resident told Hawke's Bay Today she heard the two gunshots but didn't think anything of them.

"I must admit, I did hear two shots but because we've had so many duck shooters at Hatuma Lake, it made me disregard them."

The resident said the house shot in the drive-by was on the corner of Racecourse Rd and Freyburg Tce.

Mr Jones said police believed the incident was gang related but the motivation behind the attack was "quite unclear".

Police were taking the incident "very seriously", Mr Jones said.

They would like to hear from anyone living in the area who heard or saw a dark-coloured four-door sedan leaving the area at speed.

Mr Heath said following the attack, the vehicle turned left into Freyberg Tce and right into Mackie St.

Anyone with information can contact the Waipukurau police, or call the Crimestoppers line anonymously on 0800 555111.