Several loud bangs have been heard and children carried out of a Tauranga home that has been surrounded by armed police for the last 15 hours.

Police have been outside the Oriana Crescent, Bellevue house since early morning and neighbours told to stay indoors following concerns about a disturbance.

A neighbour told NZME she heard up to 11 loud bangs which she described as "gunshots" about 3.30pm.

"Bullets were going through the roof."

Smoke could be seen outside the house.

She believed the bangs came from inside the house.

Soon after police could be seen carrying several children out of the home.

Emergency services have since started leaving the scene. The details of the disturbance that caused the standoff, and whether anyone has been injured, are not yet clear.

Earlier, the entrance to the street was blocked by orange cones but police are letting residents in and out of the street.

Neighbours said they have been told to "stay inside and stay safe".

They were not aware of a disturbance overnight but woke today to find police officers in the street.

Police were called to the property at about 12.30am this morning after a "report of concern".

The armed offenders squad and police negotiators are at the scene, as is an ambulance and about five police cars.

There was no risk to the wider public. Further information would be released when available, police said.