Enquiries are continuing following a firearms incident in Wardville near Matamata this morning.
Police were initially called to Waghorn Road just after 1.35am after a report a person had been injured.
A man was located a short distance from a rural property with a gunshot injury and taken to hospital in a serious condition. He is currently undergoing surgery.
Local police, supported by the AOS and Eagle Air Support Unit, have been searching the wider area for a person of interest.
The person has not been located at this time.
Indications are that the incident was not gang-related and the individuals were known to each other.
A forensic examination is underway on Waghorn Road where the incident occurred. Cordons remain in place and the rural community will notice an increased Police presence in the area.
If anyone in the area notices anything out of the ordinary on their property, including people who are not known to them, gates left open, equipment tampered with or vehicles taken, please call Police on 111 and quote event number P050980430.
Update issued at 2.49pm
‘Waikato Police have located the person we were looking for near Matamata today,’ said Waikato East Area Commander Inspector Dean Anderson.
‘He is now being spoken to by Police in relation to the firearms incident that left one man with a gunshot injury early this morning.
‘The victim remains in a serious condition in hospital.
‘Police are still in the area making enquiries and conducting a forensic scene examination.
‘Police would like to thank local residents for their co-operation and assistance.
‘We are not seeking anybody else in relation to the matter.’
Yet another firearms incident,Comrade Adern will now be justified in more restrictions on those who didnt do anything wrong with their guns,