One person is dead and three people are in a critical condition after a shooting overnight in Waitārere Beach in the Horowhenua district.

The local mayor has described the shooting as a “tragic family incident”.

Emergency services including police, rescue helicopters and ambulances were called to the emergency around 12.40am, after a 111 call from the settlement north of Levin.

Police said the shooting left a woman and two older teenage boys with life-threatening injuries.

A man was also found dead at the Waitarere Beach Rd address, and the police were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.

“Responding officers were told that a firearm had been discharged at the address and, when they arrived, four people were found with wounds that are consistent with being shot,” Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham said.

“An adult woman and two older teenage males were located with critical injuries. The woman was taken to Palmerston North Hospital by ambulance and the two males flown to Wellington Hospital.

“Another young person who was at the address is physically unharmed and they are being given wrap-around support.”

Grantham said a firearm was located at the scene and a forensic examination of the property would begin today.

While the police were not looking for anyone else, officers will stay at the scene while the investigation progresses.

“This is a shocking incident for Waitārere Beach and the district. This was a confronting scene, and I want to acknowledge the emergency personnel who responded to the call for help.

“We are still in the very early stages of our enquiries, but we are focused on understanding how and why this tragic event occurred,” Inspector Grantham said.

Information would be released proactively when it became available.

Horowhenua mayor Bernie Wanden told the Herald police were responding to a “tragic family incident”.

“My thoughts are with the family members injured in this terrible event,” he said.

Wanden said the shooting appeared to be isolated, and the community could be assured in knowing police are satisfied no one else is involved.

The only road in and out of the small beachside community is closed. Residents say they are still able to enter and exit the township with traffic controls in place.

A St John spokesman confirmed they were called to the scene at 12.41am, sending two ambulances, two rapid response vehicles, two helicopters and an operations manager. He referred all other questions to police.

Just before 2am, NZTA was warning road users to avoid the intersection of Waitārere Beach Rd and State Highway 1 due to a “police incident”, and to delay their journeys if possible until further notice. SH1 was not affected by the closure.

Fire and Emergency central shift manager Belinda Beets said the service was called to help St John with a landing zone for the helicopters.

She was unable to provide further details.

More to come