A significant police presence has been reported in Tauranga, with members of the public noting a heavy police presence on Monmouth St, near the Tauranga Police Station.
“I just tried to get to work in Tauranga city but was turned around as the Tauranga Police Station was taped off and roadblocks were in place,”
one person said, adding that the roadblocks were manned by police with guns. Another reader reported police in Willow St with rifles around 9am.
A witness described seeing a man dressed in "full SWAT" looking-clothing, carrying what appeared to be a long-barrelled gun, on the corner of Willow and Monmouth.
“He jumped out of the car, with what looked like a long-barrelled gun, on the corner of Willow and Monmouth.
Author's summary: Heavy police presence reported in central Tauranga with armed officers and roadblocks.