Police hunt gunman who shot man through door

A close-up view of a bullet hole in a ranchslider window after a shot was fired into a house in the Tauranga suburb of Welcome Bay. Photo / Alan Gibson

An unknown gunman was last night at large after blasting a Tauranga house with a shotgun, sending pellets into a young boy's bed and leaving a man with head injuries.

Police inquiries into the Monday night shooting at the Meander Drive house in Welcome Bay have established that the incident was "clearly a targeted attack".

A 43-year-old man had to be treated in Tauranga Hospital after two shots were fired into the house at 9pm on Monday. The Herald understands he was discharged yesterday.

The man received shotgun pellet injuries to his head and police said it was of "significant concern" that some of the pellets landed in and around the bed of a young child who normally lives at the address but was away at the time.

"It is clear from speaking to the victim, examining the scene and talking to residents that this was a concerted effort to cause serious injury," said Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner.

Neighbours the Herald spoke to said the man was renting the brick home.

Yesterday detectives cordoned off the scene and continued their inquiries for most of the day. It is unclear if the attack was gang-related but Mr Turner said the local community had been co-operating with police inquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tauranga police on (07) 577 4300. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.