A police spokesman said officers had been making enquiries into the incident and had spoken to a number of people.
As of yesterday no arrests had been made.
''Police want to reassure the community that this does not appear to be a random incident and those involved appeared to be known to each other,'' the spokesman said.
Waimate North residents reported seeing a police cordon near the junction of Te Ahu Ahu Rd, Whakataha Rd and Courthouse Lane around 2am on Monday.
Others reported seeing the police Eagle helicopter and members of the police Armed Offenders Squad.
Waimate North is one of Northland's most historic settlements, about 15km southwest of Kerikeri.