The Armed Offenders Squad was called out on the West Coast at 12.30am on Sunday after a shot was fired at a car in Westport.
Police say the shot hit the front of the vehicle, but the three occupants were unharmed.
Armed police later tracked down the offender, whose home was also searched. A number of firearms were found.
A man is due in to appear in the Greymouth District Court on Monday morning.
