Schools and a hospital are in lockdown and residents have been told to stay away while police respond to a suspected hostage situation in Nelson.

Police have blocked off roads as they react to the incident on Motueka St.

Armed police are in the area and understood to be focussed on a single property.

“Two nearby schools and the hospital have been placed into lockdown as a precaution,” a police spokesperson said.

Armed police at the scene of a hostage situation at Motueka Street, Nelson. Photo / Tim Cuff

Nelson Health New Zealand’s Lexie O’Shea said the “hospital has been placed in partial lockdown restricted to card access only, due to an incident being managed by police in a neighbouring street”.

“Visitors and patients are able to access the hospital via the main entrances which are staffed with security personnel to allow that access.”

Nelson Top 10 Holiday Park is also in lockdown.

“We are just in lockdown. We have been told there’s a gunman in the area,” a local man told NZME.

The streets were blocked off as police responded. Photo / Tim Cuff

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Police said it was related to a family harm incident.

Motueka St is closed at the intersection with Tipahi St, police said.

Armed police have been seen in the area.

Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) has also sent one unit to “assist police” and is standing by “at a safe forward point”.

Victory Primary says the the school is in lockdown following police advice. It is going through school lockdown procedures and informing parents.

Armed police are responding to the incident unfolding in Nelson. Photo / Matt Hall

A school spokesperson said there is a police car and armed officers outside directing traffic.

“Staff are working on a process for the 3 o’clock school run if the lockdown isn’t lifted,” said the spokesperson

They say all the information they have is that there has been an incident, which is contained in one specific area.

Nelson Intermediate School and Nelson College are also both in lockdown. Nelson College says on a social media post that “everyone is safe and sound and we will bring you updates as we get them”.

Hato Hone St John said the service has been notified and has responded with one ambulance, one manager and one rapid response vehicle.

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