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Police say their search for a man who shot at police in Morrinsville has been elevated to a "national level".

Police are speaking at a press conference about their search for Rollie Heke

Waikato Police Detective Superintendent Chris Page said police believe Heke has moved out of the Morrinsville area.

"He has contacts well-across New Zealand, especially the North Island".

Page said Heke has a lot of criminal associates but they should be careful because Heke is known for violent behaviour, even against his associates.

Page revealed they have been looking for him since September 2016.

Police believe Heke led officers on a chase in Morrinsville on Sunday morning, before they were forced to flee when he shot at them.

They ran to surrounding paddocks while their patrol vehicles were riddled with bullet holes.

Two people were taken into custody on Sunday but police said Heke escaped on foot.

On Monday night, armed police surrounded a Morrinsville house and called for Heke to come out, firing teargas into the property. But despite a search of the house and a neighbouring property, there was no sign of him.

Following the intensive search for Heke, his mother made an emotional plea on TV1 for him to give himself up.

"Please do the right thing ... turn yourself in, son," Marie Masalu said.

"I don't want to lose another son. I want to keep you for as long as I can.

"Son, I will come and visit you. I will be there for you. The family loves you, they care about you and they want you to know - Rollie, we're all here for you."

In an impassioned plea she appealed directly to Heke: "It doesn't matter what anybody else says. It's what your whanau thinks about you and we love and care for you.

"Turn yourself in, son. I don't want to have to come and identify you in a morgue. That's from your mother."