An AOS team head toward a house in a cordoned-off area of Morrinsville
11.00pm: Wanted gunman Rollie Heke remains on the loose tonight after an hours-long standoff at a Morrinsville address.
Waikato Police have released a statement saying they executed a search warrant at the Studholme St address, and have now removed the cordons around the property.
"A guard remains at the property and a search of the address will continue tomorrow for evidence in relation to the firearms incident," the statement said.
"Police are continuing their efforts to locate 36-year-old Rollie James Heke. Anyone who sees Heke or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact Police immediately on 111.
"Heke is believed to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached."
Anyone with information on Heke's whereabouts should contact Police immediately on 111. Information can also be shared anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.
10.48pm: The police van has also just driven off closer to the scene. Street lights have just come back on in Studholme St and its surrounds.
10.45pm: The police van has also packed up its canopy and just one other patrol car remains. However, two officers - armed with Bushmaster rifles - are still at the cordon with a few members of the public. The patrol cars can be seen in the distance. They appear to have stopped short of the two properties.
10.40pm: Although there has been no official word, it appears Heke was not at either of the homes on Studholme St this evening.
10.35pm: Detectives have just driven into the cordon. Along with a second patrol car, heading to the scene. Two more unmarked police cars are heading to the property. A property owner is also being allowed inside the cordon, following a detective's vehicle.
10.06pm: The woman who lives in the house that armed officers searched is speaking with police, friends have told the Herald. Neither she nor her children were home when AOS officers stormed through. It's understood Heke hasn't been found at the second house at the centre of the standoff.
10.05pm: The bangs have stopped once again and the mood appears to have relaxed again. Firefighters, police and members of the public are chatting among themselves as police wait for word on how AOS staff are doing outside the home at the centre of the standoff. Firefighters are now equipped with breathing apparatus while police huddle for shelter under a canopy of their van.
9.43pm: Officers on the cordon have told residents that they aren't able to get back to their homes as they are still firing "tear gas and that".
9.40pm: The loud bangs have started again. It follows about an hour of unsuccessful attempts by police to get the occupant to come out using the loudspeaker.
9.12pm: Two fire trucks are now at the cordon.
9.01pm: It is understood AOS officers have searched one of the homes at the centre of the stand off and are now searching the second home. A fire engine has just turned up to scene.
8.58pm: More members of the public have turned up to the cordon, some wrapped in blankets, others in dressing gowns or jackets to keep warm in and watch the events unfold.
8.44pm: A young man who says he owns the house Heke is holed up in said there was nobody living in the property at the time. A neighbour had called him to say police were surrounding the house, and he had driven to Morrinsville to give them a house key. He said he just wanted to go home to watch Game of Thrones.
8.40pm: Up to 14 loud explosions have been heard. Police are now back on the loud hailer.
8.34pm: Multiple explosions can be heard coming from the scene. Three have been heard in the past 30 seconds. The explosions could be tear gas. Another bang can be heard, making four in last 40 seconds. Police appear to be intensifying their presence.
Fire service at the scene. Photo / Belinda Feek
Earlier
Armed police hunting for the man believed to have opened fire on officers in Morrinsville on Sunday have surrounded a house and are calling for him to come out.
The suspect has been named tonight as 36-year-old Rollie James Heke.
A police spokeswoman said Waikato police and the armed offenders squad are currently executing a search warrant on Studholme St in relation to Sunday's shooting.
A cordon is believed to have gone up on Cureton St, near where Heke is believed to have shot at three officers who fled for their lives.
The intersection of Studholme and Cureton Sts is in darkness as police - including armed offenders squad members - wait before approaching the house Heke is suspected to be hiding in.
It appears police are centering their attention on a house down the end of Studholme St.
Many residents have also gathered at the intersection to watch the action unfold.
A local resident heard police say "come out now, you won't be harmed".
Heke is believed to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached, police said.
Newstalk ZB reporter Sam Carran is at the cordon on Cureton and Studholm St and said there are police cars, vans and a number of officers with assault riffles.
"They've got spikes laid out so that any cars on Studholm Street won't be able to get out.
"Further down the road a number of men are fully kitted out in AOS uniforms, moving across the road towards a house.
Rollie James Heke is believed to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Photo / Supplied
"Members of the public have said they've heard a loudhailer go off, trying to get whoever is in the house to come out. We don't know, at this stage, if it is Mr Heke or not," said Carran.
There is a large police presence on Studholme St. Dogs can be heard barking every now and then but the police have recently stopped using the loudhailer.
Street lights on the street have just been turned off to give the officers running across the street more cover.
Morrinsville man Johnny Harrison said that he heard dogs barking when he got diverted away from the cordon by police.
Police at the scene. Photo / Belinda Feek
Police at the cordon in Morrinsville. Photo / Belinda Feek
"There are armed police standing with vests on, stopping people from getting into the cordon.
"I heard dogs barking and someone talking through a megaphone, it sounded like they're trying to coerce someone out of a residence."
A young man who says he owns the house Heke is holed up in said there was nobody living in the property at the time. A neighbour had called him to say police were surrounding the house, and he had driven to Morrinsville to give them a house key.
He said he just wanted to go home to watch Game of Thrones.
Sunday's shooting incident occurred just after midnight after a police pursuit in the Waikato town.
It sparked a major manhunt involving around 30 staff, including Armed Offenders Squad members.
Police said Heke is actively avoiding them and is known to have links to Hamilton, Auckland and Tauranga.
He has several existing warrants to arrest for methamphetamine-related offences and breaching bail conditions.
Heke featured on Police 10-7 in March this year after he cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet and went on the run.
Police at the time said he had a warrant to arrest for charges including importing methamphetamine, and warned not to approach him as he was considered dangerous.
He also featured on the TV show in 2016 after he breached his bail conditions. He was described as 6ft (183cm) and of medium build.
"Police would like to remind anyone who is assisting Heke to avoid apprehension that they are committing a criminal offence and could face charges themselves."
Anyone with information on Heke's whereabouts is asked to contact Waikato Police on (07) 858 6200 or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
