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The New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi is trying to gather information about New Zealanders in the Indian city of Mumbai, where Westerners have been targeted during attacks this morning.
At least 250 people were wounded and more than 70 killed in the attacks apparently aimed at tourists in India's financial capital.
Television news bulletins said Westerners were being held hostage at two five-star hotels.
Local television channels said the army had begun moving into one of the hotels, the Oberoi, containing hostages.
Apart from the hotels, attackers also targeted the Cafe Leopold, perhaps the most famous restaurant and hang-out for tourists in the city, as well as hospitals and railway stations.
Only 47 New Zealanders are registered as living in Mumbai, one of the world's largest cities with a population over 12 million, but there are likely to be many more.
Officials are talking to local authorities and will contact the New Zealanders who are registered, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.
Those concerned about family and friends in Mumbai should try to contact them first, then call the Ministry or email on safetravel@mft.govt.nz.
In their Mumbai hotel New Zealander David Clemmett and his wife Vinka pushed the television cabinet across door to their room and pulled the blinds down to protect themselves from broken glass, Newstalk ZB reported.
Mr Clemmett said they had heard pistols, rifles, shot guns and grenades - sporadic shooting continues.
He said their room filled with smoke from fires within the hotel and they ripped the smoke detector off the wall.
The rest of their travel group may have been caught up in a shooting in the downstairs bar and lobby area, he said.
They were believed to be in the Oberoi Hotel.
Auckland businessman Steve Simms is in Mumbai near the chaos.
He said he was holed up in his hotel which was under heavy security.
"It would appear that every third person is a security guard in Mumbai.
"I know I might sound a little bit jovial about it but, hey, it's 1.46am over here and I'm pretty buggered and I just find the whole situation pretty bizarre," the Stuff website reported.
The violence took everybody by "absolute surprise", he said.
He was keeping in contact with worried friends and family via the internet.
"Needless to say, I'm all packed up and ready to go if I have to.
"This is just another situation that will last probably 24 hours. The whole city is under lock down, everyone's going to conform, all the terrorists will be arrested and some of them will escape."
*Attacks on 16 locations including Taj Mahal Palace and Oberoi
*Reports of 80 people dead and at least 250 injured
*Hostages held in both the Taj Mahal Palace and Oberoi
*Head of India's anti-terror unit killed in shoot-out
*Group Deccan Mujahideen claim responsibility for attacks
*Hostages taken at a south Mumbai hospital
*Kiwi David Clemmett and wife Vinka are locked in their Taj Mahal Palace hotel room
- NZPA
