Police have allowed residents to return to their homes through a cordon that affected a number of streets in an area of Wanganui known as Parkdale.
It is unclear what sparked the callout but a number of streets are believed to be affected, including Ward St, Terrace St and Parkdale Drive.
A witness said residents were not being allowed in or out of the area, however about 5.30pm police began allowing people access to their homes.
The focus of police attention was on a house in Ward St. A number of officers with firearms patrolled the street and congregated in a garage. A man, woman and child were seen at the property in question.
