Man in custody after armed police called to Glen Eden

Police have taken a 31 year-old man into custody this evening, following a callout to a property in Meadowvale Rise, Titirangi.

Meadowvale Rise resident Sid Puri said the man at the centre of the incident had only lived at the property for about two weeks.

Mr Puri and other neighbours standing outside the cordon tonight said they heard three sharp shots they initially believed was gunfire.

Police have, however, said no shots were fired tonight.

Police threw tear gas cannisters into the house before officers were heard shouting: "Put your hands up!''

Neighbours said the two houses immediately next to the man's property were evacuated.

Earlier, residents shut out of the cordon were sitting in their cars with armed police patrolling the cordon.

Cameraman Daniel Hines said a specialist SERT ambulance team had arrived along with fire personnel.

A Kaurilands Rd resident who did not wish to be named said the incident was taking place on Meadowvale Rise, a street off Kaurilands Rd.

He said he had heard reports that an armed man was holding his partner hostage.

He said the incident had been going on for a couple of hours, and he believed police were now trying to negotiate with the man.

There were at least 10 police car, and a reasonable "police presence", he said.

Residents were waiting inside their houses.

Radio NZ has reported residents of Meadowvale Rise had been told to evacuate their homes.

"We are not allowed to leave our houses, and it started just as people were coming home from work, so people haven't been able to get home from work," the man said.

Thairanga Tanawra from T Mobile Trans Services Limited at 76 Kaurilands Road said he could see lots of police but didn't know why they were there.

Residents on the Titirangi Facebook Page were commenting on the incident.

Jude Imre wrote: "Something is going down on Kaurilands Rd, the road is blocked from Konini towards Atkinson, I think the armed defenders are also involved so it would pay to stay away. I hope all stay safe."

Lucia Williams said: "We just heard shots 10 mins ago too so went up our drive.. At least 2 dogs going nuts and police telling someone to get on the ground."

Carrie Andrea Schuster wrote: "3 rounds of gun shot ... hope all the kids managed to get home, just glad it didn't happen earlier in the day."

Donna McGee copied a post from a teacher at Glen Eden Intermediate. "I work at the intermediate they were locking it down at 6.23pm major command unit set up at back of school. They over loud speaker were stating we are armed! It's directed at a certain house. Won't way what number. A hostage situation Jesus that's why the officers were negotiating saying we want to help you. Hope she gets out ok."

Rob Taylor had just spoken to his mate in Meadowvale Rise, which was still in lockdown, he wrote. "His wife can't get in &l he can't leave his home, about 4 homes away on the same street."

At the scene. Photo / Daniel Hines