Reports of a "threatening and abusive" man armed with a knife in central Tauranga which sparked a police manhunt turned out to be false.
Reports of the man's behaviour were received about 10.15am yesterday prompting police to search for him around the Devonport Rd and 15th Ave area.
Inspector Kerry Watson warned people not to approach him as he was "threatening and abusive".
The man was a known mental health patient, Mr Watson said.
Police later said the callout was a false alarm.