Police are searching for a “chubby” man over an earlier assault at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

Police swarmed the area around the gardens following reports of an assault.

“The offender is described as being male, in his 20s, of chubby build and wearing a dark blue T-shirt,” police said.

Police asked for anyone who may have seen this man or any suspicious activity around the park to contact them.

Cordons, which had been set up earlier, have since been removed.

Armed police at the Auckland Botanic Gardens on Hill Rd, Manurewa. Photo / Michael Craig

Earlier, a police spokesperson said officers were making inquiries following a serious incident at Tōtara Park in South Auckland.

They received a report of a person being assaulted in the park at 11am. The victim sustained minor injuries, a spokesperson said.

“There is an increased police presence in the wider area, including near the neighbouring Botanic Gardens.

 “A cordon is in place while the area is searched to locate the offender.”

Residents said on social media they heard helicopters hovering above and there were reports of an armed man with a knife.

Inquiries were in the early stages, the spokesperson said.

Police are speaking with the victim and working to establish what occurred.

“No further information is available at this stage. We will provide an update when we’re in a position to do so.”