Gunshots heard in Rotorua, two injured

Police inspect a car's smashed windscreen at a property in Western Heights. Photo/Stephen Parker

One person is critical and another injured after an incident in Rotorua where gunshots were heard.

Police were called to the Western Heights suburb of Rotorua at approximately 2.40pm this afternoon after multiple reports of disorder. Twelve people were seen brawling in the street around Turner Dr and Leslie Ave.

There were also reports of gunshots.

It is understood the incident was gang-related. Police spokeswoman Kim Perks said initial enquiries indicated a large group of men were involved in the incident.

"Two men are known to have been injured and were taken to Rotorua Hospital. One has critical injuries and the other has left the hospital," she said.

"Four men have been arrested and enquiries are ongoing. Police will be maintaining a presence in the area and there are no immediate concerns for public safety."

Police were appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

As the drama unfolded, Western Heights Primary School was closed for the year.

A witness said they saw one man running across Turner Dr reserve who they though was being chased by two car loads of other men.

"I heard some gun shots - two really big ones - and we saw a couple of cars come racing down the street and a guy running across the field. Then the cops turned up," the witness said.

Another witness said she saw about 12 people running down Turner Dr with various weapons including an axe and a crow bar.

"There was lots of yelling and swearing. There was heaps of them. We think it was gangs.

"The witness said the area had been very quite recently with "no trouble here for ages".

Armed police were seen guarding two properties, one on Turner Dr and one on Leslie Ave.

A Rotorua Daily Post reporter saw one man being taken to hospital by St John ambulance from a Leslie Ave address with what looked like a head injury.