Steven Brent Gunbie has been arrested after police raided a number of properties in the Coromandel area this afternoon.

The 37-year-old has been on the run from police since late last month and was wanted on a warrant for failing to appear in court.

The Herald has learned Gunbie was arrested this afternoon in Waihi.

His arrest came as the result of a search warrant.

He has been charged with kidnapping and will appear in the Manukau District Court tomorrow.

It is understood future charges have not been ruled out.

A large group of about 30 armed offenders squad members were reported to have gathered near a Waihi hospital.

Resident Sonja Ireland said she noticed the police helicopter circling around the college about 2.30pm.

Steven Gunbie was also wanted in connection to the disappearance of Waiuku man Lance John Murphy.

Mr Murphy, 57, was found dead in a paddock near Wellsford on Monday after going missing on November 21.

A 51-year-old Waiuku man has been charged with murder. He was granted interim name suppression in the Manukau District Court on Monday afternoon.

Mr Murphy was last seen at the BP service station in Warkworth on November 21. Five days later police found his car at a property just 2km away.

Mr Murphy's blood was found in the car.