Police have shot a person dead while carrying out a search warrant in Hamilton tonight.

The police armed offenders squad and criminal investigation branch members were involved at the time, a police statement said.

Police are still at the scene in Grasslands Place, in Frankton.

According to the New Zealand Police event publisher, police were sent to the area to assist an ambulance at 6.45pm.

A local woman told the publication she heard shots being fired on the street, which is an industrial area.

A police spokeswoman said information was due to be released "soon".