A man has been shot and robbed at a Feilding park while attempting to purchase a $2000 pair of shoes.

Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at Kōwhai Park, Feilding, on January 4, when a man was shot in the leg during a botched transaction.

According to a tipster, two men travelled to the park to meet a seller they had connected with through an online marketplace.

After arriving at the agreed location at 4pm, three masked individuals in a car confronted the pair and demanded money.

One of the assailants was armed with a .22 rifle.

When the passenger of the vehicle refused to hand over the money, he was shot in the leg.

The assailants then stole the victims’ mobile phones and other belongings before fleeing the scene.

Members of the public who witnessed the incident called the police immediately.

Officers arrived at the scene around 5pm, finding the injured man who was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

A police spokesperson confirmed the investigation is ongoing, with efforts to identify the suspects and determine the full circumstances of the incident.

- NZ Herald