Despite the drama of two men being shot and a police search for the suspects, the small town of Kawerau managed to carry on business as usual.
As armed police swooped on homes and questioned people over the double shooting, visitors arrived to take in the sights and sounds of
the town's annual Woodfest.
While residents in some parts were listening to police asking occupants to come out with their hands up, the only thing breaking the silence in town was the burst of chainsaws and children's laughter.
Members of Rotorua's Woodturning Club, June and Gordon Watkins and Maurice McManus, had driven over the hill to Kawerau yesterday morning.
"We heard about the shooting and wondered if we would be able to get to [the Woodskills competition] but it wasn't a problem," Mr Watkins said.
