Man in court after Ahipara armed police incident

Police cordoned Takahe St and Foreshore Rd after shots were allegedly fired at a house in Ahipara. Photo/File

A 44-year-old Ahipara man arrested after an armed police response at Ahipara on Monday has appeared in court.

Rawiri Teruru Ihaka appeared before before Judge Sarah Lindsay in the Kaitaia District Court on Friday and was remanded in custody without plea on multiple charges.

They were: unlawfully possessing/carrying a firearm, assault with a weapon, presenting a firearm, discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of utensils for the consumption of cannabis and methamphetamine, and possession of cannabis.

Ihaka also faces two counts each of threatening to kill, dangerous driving, driving whilst forbidden and wilful damage.

He will reappear on March 20, when it was expected he would apply for bail.

Ihaka was arrested at an address in Kaitaia on Thursday, after he was spotted by a member of the public.

Detective Sergeant Mark Dalzell said Ihaka surrendered himself, and was arrested without incident.

Police did not believe anyone had been harbouring him.

The search for Ihaka began on Monday after shots were reportedly fired at an address at Ahipara that morning.

The Ahipara school and a neighbouring childcare centre were locked down for several hours while armed police searched the area.

Police confirmed they had recovered a .22 rifle, which they believed to be the weapon fired.