Three Auckland-based Korean students are facing possible firearms charges after an incident in which an imitation gun was brandished at a rest area in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty area.

Police received reports of a man holding a handgun in the Karangahake Gorge yesterday afternoon and the Armed Offenders Squad was deployed.

Detective Sergeant Glen Tinsley says when people see imitation firearms or air pistols being waved about they often believe they are real and police will react accordingly. He says when confronted by armed officers, the students realised how stupid and risky their behaviour had been.

Three people are likely to be charged for offences under the Firearms Act.