Hamilton gunman still on the loose

Colin Rangi Robyn Kiriona. Photo / Supplied

An armed gang member is still at large after a fruitless police search in east Hamilton this morning.

The hunt for fugitive Colin Rangi Robyn Kiriona, 25, began when a woman held against her will suffered a violent domestic attack and fled a house in suburban Nawton, raising the alarm at about 8.30pm on Wednesday.

Waikato Police District spokesman Andrew McAlley said police cordoned off an area in east Hamilton today and Armed Offenders Squad members searched 10 properties where Kiriona was believed to be hiding.

He said the search failed to find Kiriona, but police continue to follow up reports of other possible sightings.

Kiriona allegedly seriously assaulted his 31-year-old estranged partner. She suffered physical injuries and was taken to Waikato Hospital.

The woman's two children, aged seven and three, were present at the time of the incident.

Inspector Rob Lindsay said yesterday police were also aware the woman was subjected to an alleged earlier assault, where Kiriona held her against her will and a firearm was discharged two to three weeks ago at a Ngaruawahia address.

Police cordoned off a Nawton home about 11am yesterday looking for Kiriona.

``Distraction devices were used. However, no shots were fired and the offender was not located at the address, a search of the property is continuing and a scene guard is in place,''

Police said the inquiry team today was completing scene examinations of the Nawton and Ngaruawahia properties.

Mr Lindsay said Kiriona had connections in both the Waikato and Wanganui areas, and was considered dangerous and should not be approached.

Kiriona was 1.75m tall, of medium build and known to be using methamphetamine, he said. Kiriona was a patched gang member, and had a distinctive bulldog tattoo on the left side of his face.

Police believe he may have recently had another tattoo done on his forehead.

- NZPA