One person is dead and three people are in a critical condition after a shooting overnight in Waitārere Beach in the Horowhenua district.
The local mayor has described the shooting as a “tragic family incident”.
Police have confirmed a 60-year-old man died in the incident, while the injured survivors were a woman, 46, and two young men, aged 17 and 21.
Emergency services including police, rescue helicopters and ambulances were called to the emergency around 12.40am, after a 111 call from the settlement north of Levin.
Police said the shooting left three people with life-threatening injuries.
A man was also found dead at the Waitārere Beach Rd address, and the police were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
“Responding officers were told that a firearm had been discharged at the address and, when they arrived, four people were found with wounds that are consistent with being shot,” Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham said.
“The woman was taken to Palmerston North Hospital by ambulance and the two males flown to Wellington Hospital.
“Another young person who was at the address is physically unharmed and they are being given wrap-around support.”
Grantham said a firearm was located at the scene and a forensic examination of the property would begin today.
While the police were not looking for anyone else, officers will stay at the scene while the investigation progresses.
“This is a shocking incident for Waitārere Beach and the district. This was a confronting scene, and I want to acknowledge the emergency personnel who responded to the call for help.
“We are still in the very early stages of our inquiries, but we are focused on understanding how and why this tragic event occurred,” Inspector Grantham said.
Information would be released proactively when it became available.
Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden told the Herald police were responding to a “tragic family incident”.
“My thoughts are with the family members injured in this terrible event,” he said.
Wanden said the shooting appeared to be isolated, and the community could be assured in knowing police are satisfied no one else is involved.
The only road in and out of the small beachside community was closed this morning. Residents say they are able to enter and exit the township now, but with traffic controls in place.
A local shopkeeper said he was familiar with the couple that lived at the Waitārere Beach Rd address, but he did not know them personally.
He said he believed the man who lived there had a reputation for being “impatient”.
The store owner said that despite the violence overnight, foot traffic had been normal today.
Wellington man Wal is visiting Waitārere Beach and said the shooting was “bizarre - it’s supposedly a quiet little town”.
“We heard the cops during the night [and] the helicopter this morning and didn’t think anything of it.”
Two Waitārere local women walking on the beach this morning said they were not shocked by the violence overnight given there had been other similar recent incidents.
“It’s a mixed bag [town], I’m not an expert but there’s certainly been a lot of stress and family stress.
“There’s been an increased police presence here helping out in the last six months.”
The pair referenced a murder case from 2016 in which a man pleaded guilty to the murder of his 10-year-old brother Alex Fisher.
The Waitārere women said they had lived in the town for about four years, and its residents were mainly retirees and young families. They said it has a population of around 600.
“Some people have been here for years that are more close-knit but I’d say it’s not a super-cohesive little town … it’s changing.”
A St John spokesman confirmed they were called to the scene at 12.41am, and sent two ambulances, two rapid response vehicles, two helicopters and an operations manager. He referred all other questions to police.
Just before 2am, NZTA was warning road users to avoid the intersection of Waitārere Beach Rd and State Highway 1 due to a “police incident”, and to delay their journeys if possible until further notice. SH1 was not affected by the closure.
Fire and Emergency central shift manager Belinda Beets said the service was called to help St John with a landing zone for the helicopters.
She was unable to provide further details.
Waitārere Volunteer Fire Brigade said its local crew responded to the incident alongside Levin Operational Support.
“We send our thoughts to all involved - family, friends and all emergency responders,” a spokesperson said.
“Events like these impact small communities like ours in different ways, please look after yourselves, others, be kind, check in with each other and be respectful.”
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