Wanganui school locked down after man seen with firearm

File photo / NZ Herald

A call tipping police off to an armed man at a school in upper Aramoho looks to be a hoax, police say.

Whanganui area commander Inspector Steve Mastrovich said police had a "really good search" and were unable to locate a man carrying a firearm at Churton School.

The call came in at 1pm today and Somme Parade was blocked off from Quick Ave while police and the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) attended.

Mr Mastrovich said there was nowhere to go with the information they'd been given and they were unable to confirm the initial report.

He said they would be "checking out addresses" and "driving around", but were not actively seeking an armed offender.

"We will be talking to a few people to see if we can nail down who it was that came up with the information originally," Mr Mastrovich said.

Children were allowed out of Churton School, which had been on lockdown while police searched the area.

"The kids have probably had quite an interesting little interlude this afternoon, but nobody's been in any danger or upset... except maybe parents."

Police were leaving the area.