Four firearms discovered in police raid on Whangārei, Otaika Rd home

A team of police will continue the search of an Otaika Rd property after the discovery of four firearms. Photo / John Stone

Police will continue a thorough search of a Whangārei property after four firearms were found during a raid.

An armed police officer stood in the driveway of the Otaika Rd home all day after a search warrant was carried out about 8am today.Inspector Al Symonds said the armed offenders squad were involved as a precaution with the search warrant in relation to the unlawful possession of firearms.

During the initial search officers found four firearms. A 36-year-old man was arrested and late today was speaking with police.

Symonds expected the man would appear in the Whangārei District Court tomorrow on charges related to the unlawful possession of firearms.

An armed officer stands guard at the Otaika Rd property throughout the day. Photo / John Stone

"Police are not currently seeking anyone else in relation to the search and at this time there is not thought to be any ongoing risk to the public," Symonds said.

"This is however an ongoing investigation and a search of the property and scene examination is expected to continue into the weekend."

A nearby resident said they first noticed police after the man's dogs started barking. They said there was a flurry of police activity all day.

About noon another team of people arrived at the property in a white van and carried large bags into the house.

For most of the day officers swarmed the driveway area and were examining items taken from the downstairs garage area of the two-storey brick house.

There was another car, two motorbikes and a concrete mixer being looked over by officers in the driveway.

"It looked like they had done a good job of clearing out and searching the house," said a neighbour who believed the man lived alone.

Just last week Symonds said Northland officers would be involved in Operation Whakahaumanu, which means to restore to health and to revitalise. It was being rolled out across the country to ensure people felt safe in their communities after the Christchurch terror attacks.

At the time Symonds urged members of the public to report anyone they considered suspicious.

"One of the things we want to tell the public, and we are also telling our police officers, is those people who make you think twice or concerns about particular people let us know."