Body found in Norsewood gunman's car

File photo / Martin Sykes

A body has been found in the car of a gunman who remains on the run in the lower North Island, police say.

The man, believed to be armed with a shotgun, has allegedly shot and wounded a farmer and fired at police, police spokeswoman Kim Perks said.

Police warned residents of Norsewood, 20km northeast of Dannevirke, and nearby Ormondville and Takapau to stay inside, lock their doors and stay away from windows.

The armed offenders squad had been deployed and police had closed State Highway 2 between Norsewood and Waipukurau to the northeast while they hunted for the man.

Travellers poured into Norsewood's Crown Hotel this afternoon with "100 different accounts" of what had happened, the publican said.

They had eaten everything on offer before leaving town when they were able to at about 8pm.

The drama began when police started pursuing a driver who took off following a breath test about 3.45pm, Ms Perks said. The pursuit was called off for safety reasons.

However, the driver crashed at Butcher's Creek, north of Norsewood.

Police believed a patrol car was shot at as it arrived at the crash site.

The gunman ran off, then allegedly shot a farmer in the shoulder at a nearby house. His injuries were not thought to be life threatening.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting were unclear, Ms Perks said.

Police believed they knew who the gunman was and had found his car, she said.

The body found in the car was not believed to be the offender.

Police were not releasing the gunman's name, but said he was believed to be a stocky 46-year-old Caucasian, about 170cm tall.

He should not be approached, and any sightings should be reported to police, Ms Perks said.

Operations Manager Inspector David White said: "Locating the offender and the safety of the public and police staff is our primary concern at this stage.

"As that is our focus, we are not in a position to confirm or discuss in any details the incidents leading up to this point or possible motives for this man's actions."

Residents should monitor the media for updates around public safety and road closures, he said.

Further information would be made available as soon as police had it.

Police did not know when SH2 would reopen but said diversions were in place.

Witnesses said traffic was backed up for nearly 5km.

- NZPA