A group of students took cover in their cars when a man armed with a .22 rifle allegedly began firing toward them at the Tarawera Tavern, on the Napier-Taupo Road last night.
The 52 year-old man, who lives at the tavern, had apparently been drinking most of theafternoon, Napier police said today.
The Waikato University students, travelling in two vehicles, pulled up at the tavern because they were having mechanical problems on their way back to Hamilton.
Police said the man approached them carrying the .22 Ruger rifle and told them to "clear off".
He fired five rounds, hitting trees above their heads as the students took cover in their vehicles.
At one stage he aimed his rifle's laser sight on the vehicles before the students fled. More shots were fired as they drove away.
When police were alerted, the students were directed to wait at the Rangitikei Tavern, nearer to Taupo, and were later interviewed in Taupo by police.
The man was arrested without incident by the armed offenders squad and was to appear in Napier District Court later today.
Police found two other rifles when they searched his belongings at the tavern. They said the man admitted trying to "scare" the students.
