Armed Offenders Squad in Wairoa: Mayor has concerns as police work to ‘resolve ongoing incident’

Wairoa residents have been asked to remain vigilant while police resolve an incident in the northern Hawke’s Bay town.

Members of the Armed Offenders Squad arrived about 10am on Tuesday and an address on Colin St was cordoned off.

A police spokesperson said on Tuesday afternoon that there was no ongoing danger to members of the public.

Wairoa’s schools were placed under lockdown for a while in the morning on advice from the Ministry of Education.

Wairoa College acting principal Kimberley Mahy said the school was in lockdown for an hour from 9.43am to 10.42am.

She said it was because of an external threat and wasn’t related to the college.

“Everyone is back out and happy.”

A house was cordoned off on Colin St in Wairoa on Tuesday. Photo / Google Maps

Colin St is off Kopu Rd, effectively the eastern extension of Marine Pde along the banks of the Wairoa River towards the mouth.

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said Wairoa District Council offices were “among sites immediately locked down as a precaution”.

He said the council lockdown was lifted after he was advised a man was “safely contained” in a house.

He said Wairoa was missing out on many services and none were available for “struggling” people in the district.

”We are pretty concerned. These people need help.”

A police update on Facebook at 2pm said they were working to “resolve an ongoing incident in Wairoa”.

Police asked anyone who saw any suspicious or concerning activity in the area to contact them on 111.