Four loud cracks have rung out as an armed police standoff on a street in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill ends after three hours with an arrest of a man.

A section of White Swan Rd, between Ellis Ave and Richardson Rd, is closed with the Police Eagle helicopter circling overhead.

Traffic is being diverted around cordons lined with patrol cars and children stopped walking their usual route on their way home from school.

A reporter at the scene said four loud cracks were heard from inside the cordon.

They were heard two at a time and described as a loud “bang-bang, bang-bang”.

The police helicopter was seen stationed high in the air directly over the property.

Moments later a phalanx of officers could be seen walking across the street away from the property.

Police could be seen walking a man out of the property and into a police car.

Inspector Meade said the issue had been resolved.

Police have managed to separate a lady away from a man at the property and have taken him into custody, Meade said.

Armed police are descending on a Mt Roskill street with roads closed and cordons erected. Photo / Dean Purcell

Street closed by family harm incident

At 1.40pm, police confirmed they have closed the street in response to an ongoing family harm incident.

“Police are attempting to engage with an individual in a nearby residence,” a police spokesperson said.

“The community can be reassured the matter is contained, and there is no wider risk.

“Further updates will follow when information is available.”

The cordons extend about 500m on either side of the residence in which police are trying to engage with the individual.

Armed officers are stationed in various properties on surrounding streets.

A crowd of residents have gathered at the cordon who want to get to their homes inside it.

Dozens of high schoolers from nearby Lynfield College are walking up to the cordon.

Staff members from the college are there directing their students around onto different streets.

A constable at cordon is also telling school children who are trying to walk up the street they can’t proceed and they don’t know how long the road will be blocked.

Motorists are advised to avoid this area or expect delays, with diversions in place affecting all traffic, including bus services.

One woman who witnessed the unfolding incident told the Herald: “I didn’t know what was happening but seeing a cop setting his rifle was scary enough.”

At least four police cars with officers were stationed at a cordon, with traffic being diverted from the area.

Armed police are descending on a Mt Roskill street with roads closed and cordons erected. Photo / Dean Purcell

A nearby shop worker said he saw a helicopter in the area, and multiple police cars arrived around 12.45pm.

Police are continuing to race to the scene, with an unmarked police car travelling quickly through the Waterview Tunnel towards Mt Roskill, lights flashing.

Armed police are descending on a Mt Roskill street with roads closed and cordons erected. Photo / Dean Purcell

Another shop worker on White Swan Rd said: “There are so many police cars, more than 20 are on the road.”

More to come.