Armed police have blocked off Mission Rd at its State Highway 3 intersection south of Kai Iwi.
Just after 4pm residents were told to stay inside their homes while people were stopped from driving up the no exit road.
Police dogs and armed officers were also stationed further up the road.
A resident of the Westmere road was told to stay indoors by the police about 4.15pm.
She said police called at her house and asked if she knew her neighbours. They advised her to stay put and keep children indoors.
The resident was in the house with her grandchildren and her invalid sister and was not aware of any incident before the police arrived.
"There was nothing out the ordinary. It's very quite around here."
