Armed police swooped on a home in the Auckland suburb of Mount Albert as they search for wanted man Rollie Heke.
Heke has been the subject of a nationwide manhunt after he shot at police in Morrinsville last weekend.
Police said they had "reason to believe" Heke may have been at the address.
"Due to concerns for firearms, some nearby residents were evacuated and cordons were put in place," a statement said.
"The search has now been completed without incident."
Heke was not found. Neither was his former partner Irene Scanlon who police are also seeking.
"Police would like to thank members of the public for their patience this evening and for the information which they continue to provide us," the statement said.
"Police remain hopeful that this situation will resolve peacefully and strongly encourage Heke and Irene Scanlon to present themselves to police."
The incident was in the Cassino Tce area.
A witness told the Herald that for about two hours armed police had surrounded a property.
The witness said police "were constantly instructing the people inside to come out with hands empty and raised. They said they had an arrest warrant for someone with surname Heke".
Several residents earlier emailed the Herald to say they had heard gunshots. But police have said no shots were fired.
Tear gas canisters police use to flush people out do sound similar to gunfire but a police spokeswoman was unable to confirm whether tear gas was used in the incident.
A Hargest Tce woman told the Herald police prevented her from returning home, telling her there is a gunman in the street and it is not safe.
Police officers were outside nearby Owairaka School, on Richardson Rd, and a police van is also being used to block one of the streets off Henson Ave.
A helicopter had been circling overheard for at least 20 minutes.
Four police cars, a police van and a fire engine were also parked at the Richardson Rd end of Range View Rd.
Anyone with any information on their whereabouts is asked to contact the toll free number dedicated to this investigation: 0800 800 493.
It's understood a NZDF aircraft and multiple helicopters are involved.