A gang member with a violent criminal history is wanted by police after a violent standoff in Hamilton on Monday afternoon.

35-year-old Shannon Watene is described as Maori, 178 centimetres tall with distinctive tattoos on the top half of his face.

During the standoff, police say three men, believed to be members or associates of the Mongrel Mob threatened people at Melville house with guns.

Detective Senior Sergeant Carl Moon says it's imperative Watene is located.

He says he shouldn't be approached and anyone who sees him should ring 111 straight away.