Gate crashers who stormed a family barbecue sparked an armed offenders call-out on Friday night.
The family were said to be "in shock" after uninvited guests arrived at their property on Te Puna Rd, Tauranga, about 11.30pm on Friday and started a mass brawl.
Shots are understood to have been fired and three people were rushed to hospital after being assaulted.
One person suffered head and facial injuries as a result of the attack.