Search for man scaled back

Police search a car after cordoning off Mamaku Village to look for a man who may be armed. Photo / NZPA

Rotorua police say they are still looking for the man who sparked an armed offenders squad callout this afternoon but have now scaled back their search.

Police cordoned off Mamaku Village, 20km northwest of Rotorua, to search for the 35-year-old man after a family member told police they were concerned for his emotional wellbeing about noon today.

Acting Inspector Brent Crowe, the police area tactical response manager, said this and the fact the man might have access to firearms prompted police to head to the area.

Mr Crowe this evening said that at around 5pm, "the size of the cordon was reduced after an initial search was completed, allowing Mamaku residents to return to their homes.

"Members of the Armed Offenders Squad remained in place, continuing a detailed search of the area."

The Armed Offenders Squad has now left, said Mr Crowe.

Police are appealing for sightings of the man's vehicle - a charcoal-coloured single-cab Toyota Hilux ute with the licence plate UT5677.

Anyone who has seen the vehicle is asked to call 111.

"We are continuing our inquiries tonight in an effort to locate the man, and we are working with members of the man's family who are supporting these efforts.

"We have undertaken an extensive search of his and neighbouring properties, and other locations where he may have been in Mamaku.

"We believe he is travelling in this vehicle and may have left the area, hence our focus on working with members of his family in an effort to locate him.

"In the first instance, it was prudent to have a wide cordon in place while Police searched the area. As soon as we could, we reduced the size of the cordon to allow residents to return to their homes.

"We apologise for any inconvenience that this may have been caused to Mamaku residents and other members of the public, however, it was appropriate to take these initial measures."

Mr Crowe said in the course of the search, police found a small cannabis-growing operation at another property and arrested a 42-year-old man, who will appear in Rotorua District Court charged with cultivation of cannabis.

- NZ Herald staff, NZPA