Woman in court after shooting near Bellevue School

An armed police officer at the scene of Tauranga's Bellvue School yesterday. Photo / Andrew Warner

A woman charged with unlawful possession and reckless discharge of a firearm has been remanded in custody.

The 44-year-old woman appeared at Tauranga District Court this afternoon facing one charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and one charge of recklessly discharging a firearm.

Defence lawyer Jason Owers sought bail under strict conditions.

However, Community Magistrate Sherida Cooper disagreed and remanded the woman in custody for the next two weeks. Police also opposed the bail application.

The woman was granted interim name suppression and will appear in Tauranga District Court again on March 22.

The charges were laid after gunshots in Bellevue forced children at Bellevue School to be locked inside their classes for more than an hour yesterday.

Otumoetai College and a nearby childcare centre also went into lockdown due to their proximity to the Princess Rd primary school.