Up to 500 people have been evacuated from Rotorua Central mall due to a fire alarm going off.
The alarm went off about 10.30am today sending staff and shoppers to the car park.
An employee at a shop inside the mall said the place had been "buzzing with last minute Christmas shoppers".
"There were at least 200 people in the mall."
She said the Rotorua Fire Brigade arrived on the scene before they were allowed back in.