Blenheim hostage situation: Man in custody after overnight standoff with police

• Police were negotiating with an armed man holding a person hostage at a Blenheim house.
• The incident began at 5.10pm yesterday, with another occupant escaping and no injuries reported.
• Police say a man is in custody and a baby recovered alive.

Police have taken a man into custody after an overnight hostage situation in Blenheim.

Police were negotiating with an armed man who took a baby hostage at a house on Friday night.

A man armed with a firearm turned up at the Park Terrace house in what police described as a family harm incident.

Police said the man was known to the two occupants inside, with one managing to escape.

In an update on Saturday night, police said a 44-year-old man was arrested around 4.35pm, and a baby was recovered safely and uninjured.

“Police’s focus has been the welfare of resolving the incident safely for all concerned and we are very pleased that has now been achieved,” a spokesperson said.

“Police have also deployed tactical staff and other staff to achieve this outcome, and we’ve been supported by the New Zealand Defence Force.

Nearby neighbours were all asked last night to stay in temporary accommodation with police keeping them updated on developments.

Tonight, police said they will be able to return to their homes this evening.

“We thank them and the wider community for their patience and cooperation through what we know has been an extremely unsettling situation.”