An armed man is believed to be holed up inside a Hamilton house after a gunshot was heard following an incident involving the man's partner and young child.
The Armed Offenders Squad was called to the house - on Tomin Road in the suburb of Glenview - shortly after ashot was heard just after 9am.
Neighbours said they heard yelling, screaming and windows smashing before the shot was fired.
There were no reports of injuries.
Waikato police communications manager Andrew McAuley said the woman and child had left the property.
"Shortly after 9am there were reports of domestic incident in Tomin Rd in Glenview. We understand a shot has been fired. At this point in time there is an area cordoned off and a property under observation.
"We understand that there were three people in the property - a male, a female and a small child," Mr McAuley said.
"At this time the female and the child have made their way out of the house. The man is still believed to be in the house.