Kawerau police say three local men are helping with the investigation into a double shooting in the Bay of Plenty town.
Two men, aged 38 and 48, shot at a River Road property early on Friday morning are in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital. They are believed to have been the victims of a targeted shooting.
The TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter flew the men to hospital and the service said one was shot in the abdomen and the other in the chest.
Police say another man has been arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, although that is not directly related to the shooting.
The Armed Offenders Squad searched the two houses, one on Galway Street and another nearby on Sewell Street, on Friday. and the scene has been examined.
A neighbour of one of the shot men says he is a good person who works as a labourer.
A police spokesperson says children and teachers at a neighbouring kura kaupapa had to leave through a back entrance and a cordon was formed to close off surrounding streets.
Police are interested in sightings of a dark-coloured vehicle seen leaving the area following the shootings and would also like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area on Friday morning.
