UPDATED: 1.04PM A 39-year-old man has been arrested after firing a crossbow during a family violence incident in Taranaki.

Police were called to the suburb Okato, near New Plymouth yesterday afternoon.

Taranaki Area Commander Keith Borrell said the man refused to come out and made verbal threats to officers.

The Armed Offenders Squad was sent to the house as the situation escalated.

People in the house managed to get out safely.

Police then negotiated with the man for several more hours and finally got into the house at 2am, using teargas.

He was taken to hospital for assessment but wasn't injured.

No police staff or members of the public were injured either.

Police are investigating and formal charges are yet to be laid.