Dad's message for wanted gunman Rollie Heke: 'Don't go out in a blaze of glory'

The father of wanted gunman Rollie James Heke has made a plea for him to peacefully hand himself in - and not be tempted to "go out in a blaze of glory".

Heke, 36, is wanted in connection with a shooting in Morrinsville on Sunday morning and has been on the run from police for months, after cutting off his electronic monitoring bracelet.

This morning his father pleaded for the "extremely dangerous" and "highly unpredictable" gunman - who is now the subject of a nationwide police search - to hand himself in.

"No one has been hurt, it's not that bad yet. You have time to do the right thing," he told his son in a statement given exclusively to the Herald.

"If you want someone from the whanau to come and get you just phone one of us. You have a big whanau out here that cares for you. You are well loved by all of us.

"Let's have a good outcome. We don't want anyone to be hurt, including you."

His final plea reads: "Don't go out in a blaze of glory. Dad."

Heke's father said he did not believe his son had meant to hurt any police officers during the weekend's shootout.

"He knew those police officers had family to go home to, he just wanted to get away," he said.

"I don't think he wanted to hurt anyone."

It follows an emotional plea by Heke's mother earlier this week, in which she too urged her son to "do the right thing... turn yourself in, son".

"I don't want to lose another son. I want to keep you for as long as I can," she told 1News.

"Son, I will come and visit you. I will be there for you. The family loves you, they care about you and they want you to know - Rollie, we're all here for you."

Morrinsville residents endured a five-hour drama on Monday night after Heke holed himself up in a house and is believed to have shot at officers. But despite a search of two properties by the Armed Offenders Squad there was no sign of him.

It followed an earlier shooting in the early hours of Sunday morning after a police pursuit in Morrinsville. Heke is believed to have fired a military-style semi-automatic weapon at three officers, who were forced to flee into surrounding paddocks, their patrol vehicles riddled with bullet holes.

It sparked a major manhunt involving about 30 staff, including the AOS. That manhunt has only expanded in the days since, with police yesterday saying the search had gone nationwide as they attempt to close in on his location.

This morning Waikato officers were directed to work in pairs and remain armed at all times.

Police believe Heke has moved out of the Morrinsville area and has associates helping him avoid police.

"He has contacts across New Zealand, especially the North Island," Superintendent Chris Page said yesterday.

Earlier this week, police said Heke was actively avoiding them and was known to have links to Hamilton, Auckland and Tauranga. He had several existing warrants to arrest for methamphetamine-related offences and breaching bail conditions.

Heke is connected with the Black Power and Nomads gangs, and in known for violent behaviour - even against associates.

Heke featured on television show Police 10-7 in March this year after he cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet and went on the run.

He also featured on the TV show in 2016 after he breached bail conditions.

Police yesterday described him as "extremely dangerous" and said he should not be approached.

He was described as 183cm and of medium build.

Anyone who sees Heke or who knows his whereabouts is asked to call 111 immediately and not approach him.