Armed standoff ends peacefully

An armed man surrenders to police in Whangarei yesterday. Photo / Malcolm Pullman

A man's threat to shoot himself sparked an armed offenders squad callout in suburban Whangarei yesterday.

But after more than three hours, the 44-year-old man surrendered peacefully to police.

Sergeant John Fagan said police were alerted at 11.20am to an incident involving a firearm in Onerahi.

A woman said her partner had threatened to shoot himself and that he had a loaded rifle.

She had made her way to safety at a neighbouring address, leaving the man alone.

The AOS and the police negotiation team were deployed and a cordon was set up around Raurimu Ave.

An ambulance and the Fire Service were on standby but were not required.

Mr Fagan said after a prolonged period police were finally able to speak to the man inside the house and he gave himself up peacefully to AOS about 3pm.

It was believed the man was suffering from a mental illness and he would be assessed by mental health services.

An air rifle and ammunition were found inside the house.

Mr Fagan said no charges had been laid.

- NZPA