Man charged after gun fired at home

Police were at a rural Waipu property on Helmsdale Rd examining a house to see how many times it was struck by bullets after shots were fired at the property. Photo / John Stone

Police were taking a close look at a Northland home after shots were fired at the rural property, sparking an armed police callout.

A man who allegedly fired three shots at a Northland house was caught by police in a vehicle a short distance away on Monday.

Whangarei police were called about 9.20pm after the shots were fired at the rural property on Helmsdale Rd, west of Waipu.

The Armed Offenders Squad were also called to the scene and a 46-year-old local man was arrested.

A resident who did not want to be named said she did not see or hear anything the night of the shooting but had seen about five police cars heading up the road yesterday.

"I was watching the 10pm news and I saw something about an incident in Waipu but didn't think it was Helmsdale Rd," she said.

She said she had lived in the neighbourhood for 15 years. When asked if it was unusual for something like this to happen she said "no it's not".

The man appeared in Whangarei District Court yesterday on charges of reckless discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and driving with an excess breath alcohol level of 493 micrograms.

He was remanded in custody without plea until Monday.

Police confirmed no one was injured during the incident.

Police were at the rural property about 7km along Helmsdale Rd yesterday examining a house to see how many times it was struck.