Bullet holes in workers' smoko shed

Fonterra's Kauri plant.

Two buildings hit by bullets at Fonterra's Kauri factory site include a smoking shed used by staff and a door to the cafeteria.

A 52-year-old man charged with shooting buildings at the site, 12km north of Whangarei, has been remanded in custody for a mental health assessment to be carried out.

The man, from Kauri, appeared in the Whangarei District Court yesterday after being arrested on Monday and making a brief appearance on Tuesday.

He faces charges of unlawful possession of a restricted weapon, being an SKS 7.62/39 calibre firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm and importing a restricted weapon.

Judge Greg Davis granted the man interim name suppression until his next court appearance on June 15.

The Northern Advocate understands two of the buildings hit by bullets included a smoking room, and there was a hole in the cafeteria door.

Neither police nor Fonterra would reveal how many bullet holes had been discovered on Monday when the alarm was raised.

Police initially said a shed and a tank had been hit by bullets.

The bullet holes were reported about 10.20am on Monday and members of the public reported hearing shots fired from somewhere outside the factory grounds about half an hour later.

Northland police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said the incident had the potential to put lives in danger.

Fonterra have confirmed the man had no direct connection to Fonterra.