Arrest after shooting and firearms incidents in Wairoa

2026 Credit: Michaela Gower Wairoa Light House Wairoa, where police have again been investigating firearms incidents and arrested a teenager.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with firearms offences following one of two shooting incidents in Wairoa earlier this month.

The first incident took place when a shot was fired at a vehicle in Rata Place on April 2, and the second was a drive-by shooting in Tarata St at Easter.

No injuries were reported.

Police Tairāwhiti area manager of investigations John Love said the arrest follows a search of an address where police found two firearms and Class A drugs, and another in which the accused was apprehended while trying to dispose of a loaded sawn-off shotgun.

He said police were seeking another person for firearms and drug possession.

Three search warrants were executed in Wairoa on April 15.

Police responses involved a firearms dog from Rotorua alongside staff from Gisborne and Wairoa, with the Armed Offenders Squad supporting the execution of the search warrants.

Love said police were seeking information relating to any firearms offences in the area.