Police close in on armed fugitive

Waikato armed offenders squad members are hunting for Kim Smith (pictured).

A quiet rural settlement south of Auckland has been put on high alert by the arrival of armed police hunting a wanted criminal.

Outcasts gang member Kim Bruce Smith is believed to be hiding near the coastal town of Port Waikato, but a search of forest, bush and farmland yesterday failed to find him.

Smith is wanted in connection with the shooting of Tribesman gang member Dwayne Andre Wilson at Waingaro last month.

The 41-year-old, who is known to use pure methamphetamine, has been on the run from police since skipping bail last year on drug and weapons charges.

Last night many armed officers remained on guard in a rugged area between Port Waikato and Onewhero, where the search for him is closing in.

Yesterday police located a woolshed they believed Smith stayed in on Tuesday night after he was disturbed from a hut he was using nearby.

The hut, in a pine forest off Klondyke Rd, was found on Monday after a member of the public reported seeing Smith walking along a road near Onewhero.

Detective Inspector Peter Devoy said a .22 rifle, a shotgun and a military-style semi-automatic rifle, as well as a camouflage flak jacket were found in the hut, which also had cooking equipment and bedding.

Weapons have been located at several other addresses Smith is believed to have stayed at since being on the run.

"Everywhere we have searched for him over the last month, there have been firearms left at the scene," said Mr Devoy.

"We know that people have been supplying him with food and clothing - those people will be spoken to.

"He obviously has access to firearms and needless to say, we are quite concerned about that."

Mr Devoy said police would keep searching until Smith was caught.

"This is a manhunt for a fugitive who is armed and dangerous. It is likely to be ongoing for the next few days at least and we expect to be here until he is caught."

Locals said Smith had worked as a shearer in the area many years ago. Police said he was a regular pig hunter in the area.

Ponganui Rd resident Alec Begg said police had advised locals to lock away any firearms, and secure their cars and homes. He had no concerns about his safety.

"No point in being concerned," Mr Begg said. "Normally we live so far away no one locks their house but everyone does now. Until we get the all clear."

Mr Begg said armed offenders squad members had set up a road block and were searching farm buildings.

Another resident said her family never locked the house.

"I wouldn't have a clue where any of the keys are, but we have taken the key out of the car."

Smith is also wanted on a raft of other serious charges, including at least two aggravated robberies, serious violence, firearms and drug offences.

He is a senior member of the Outcasts.

Last week police located Carrie Lyndon, one of Smith's associates, who had also been on the run since the Waingaro murder. She was found in a Huntly house and has since appeared in court charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of utensils for using methamphetamine and being an accessory after the fact to aggravated robbery.

Smith is also wanted in connection with the last charge, which relates to an incident in Northland.