Police have a person in custody after an hours-long armed operation in the Bay of Plenty town of Katikati.
Two schools, an early childhood centre and a medical centre went into lockdown as armed police hunted a person of interest.
Parents had earlier been asked to stay away from Katikati College and Katikati Primary School, but both schools have now posted online instructions for collecting children.
Police confirmed lockdowns and cordons on Beach Rd had been lifted, and the person they were seeking was in custody.
Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown said police started their inquiries this morning to find the person, and advised the schools and centres to go into lockdown.
She said armed police were present as a precaution and to ensure public safety.
She thanked the community for their understanding and co-operation, and said charges would follow.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said it was called to Katikati at 11.41am, and assessed one patient in a minor condition.
An early childhood centre owner has described having to evacuate the children during the operation.
Robins Nest Early Childhood Centre owner Zoe Farnath said the children in her team’s care had been safely evacuated from the Beach Rd centre to the college.
Farnath said her centre had 19 children in attendance this morning and five staff – including herself – on duty.
“Everything was normal and then we just got a phone call to say put our lockdown procedure into place from the police.”
That was just after 11am.
Farnath said their lockdown procedure was to bring everyone inside the centre and lock themselves into a room, then “just remain in place and out of sight”.
She knew nothing about what the police were responding to.
Farnath said at roughly noon the police knocked on the centre’s window.
“I went out and spoke to them and they said that it was probably wasn’t the safest location for us and could we evacuate.”
Farnath said the staff and children, as well as a parent who was nearby, had walked down Beach Rd and into the college buildings.
“The parent is remaining in lockdown with us and their children, to give us a hand,” said Farnath said earlier this afternoon.
“We have been in contact with our parents to explain that we are now part of the lockdown at the college and they cannot come in to the premises to collect them at this stage.”
Farnath said were waiting direction from the police. The children are happy and content, she said.
“They’ve had ice blocks and have been watching Bluey on the TV.”
“We have really strong procedures in place for this [type of event] but we were hoping we never had to use them.
“But that’s what we have them – and I’m pretty confident in our procedures and we followed them and the police instructions.”
A witness to the evacuation said the children seemed “calm and collected”, with some waving at police as they walked past.
Katikati College said on Facebook just after 3pm that police had given clearance for students to be collected from the Dave Hume Pool back field entrance only.
Parents were asked to enter from that side, not Beach Rd.
Students must be signed out by their designated caregiver. Bus students would be walked to a pickup point for the buses.
Katikati Primary School’s latest post said the lockdown was still active, but police had “okayed” children to be picked up and signed out from their classrooms.
Earlier:
The college had earlier said in a social media post it had been directed by police to go into lockdown following an incident in the area. It said all students were safe and accounted for.
“We are awaiting the all-clear from the police and will advise the community when we receive this. In the meantime, please do not come into school and avoid contacting the school so that we are able to keep communication lines open.
“We appreciate that this may be a difficult time for everyone as we work through this situation. Please be assured that everyone on the school site is safe. Thank you for your support during this time.”
A parent of a primary school student who had been visiting the college told NZME when she had gone to collect her child, she was told the school was in lockdown.
“I think at the end of the day, the school’s doing the right thing and the police are doing everything they should, so, so you’re not concerned, you’re just patiently waiting.”
Katikati Primary School also posted that the school was in lockdown.
“All children are safe and accounted for. Awaiting instructions from police.
Parents were asked not to call or come to the school, and to check Facebook for updates.
A caller to SunLive said police had cordoned off Beach Rd and armed officers were “standing guard” at the Polley Cres and Park Rd intersections.
Traffic was being diverted around those streets, the caller said.
Parents and bystanders were gathered near Katikati College and a nearby dairy.
“There are some parents wanting to know when it’s all going to lift, but no one is too concerned at this stage.”
At 12.50pm, the caller said police wearing all black had arrived, and a St John unit had set up nearby.
Katikati Medical Centre said on its Facebook page that it had been directed by police to go into lockdown.
“We ask that people stay away for the time being and we will update when we have further information. While this is in place we kindly ask that people refrain from phoning the practice unless necessary at this time.”