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Police in the center and far north are temporarily armed as they search for two men who shot an officer Tuesday morning.
A police spokesman said the officers were temporarily carrying firearms as a precaution, but the decision is being periodically reviewed.
It comes after an officer was driving down State Highway 11, near the Puketona junction, when a car stopped her in front of her at around 4.15 a.m.
Before the sheriff could get out of his car, two men got out of his vehicle and shot him as he was getting to safety, Northland District Inspection Detective Dene Begbie said.
DENISE PIPER / Things
Police at a search site near Matauri Bay, north of Kerikeri, Tuesday morning.
On Wednesday morning, police said no arrests had yet been made and there were no updates since Tuesday.
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* Northland police search for two men after officer shot, kidnapped man
A kidnapping from Waipapa late Monday night may have been linked to the shooting, and later Tuesday morning, the Armed Criminal Squad was called up a block near Matauri Bay, north of Kerikeri.
The kidnapping was reported to police around 8 a.m. Tuesday after the male victim approached a Matauri Bay property asking for help.
The man was not known to have gang affiliation and police were unsure whether the incidents were gang-related or not, Begbie said.
Denise Piper / Things
Detective Inspector Dene Begbie, Northland District Crime Manager, explains why police believe an officer who was shot and a kidnapping in Northland may be related.
The vehicle owned by the victim, a gray 2010 Nissan Skyline, was found on fire on Puketotara Rd near Okaihau at around 4.50am Tuesday.
All three incidents are in the north central area, 15 minutes from Kerikeri.
Police are still working to establish whether the vehicle stolen in the hijacking was the same one used in the SH11 shooting, as that vehicle is believed to be a silver or gray sedan.
Denise Piper / Things
The area near Matauri Bay includes a dairy farm and rural houses.
Both occupants who got out are believed to be male, masked, and solidly built, Begbie said.
“I would like to reassure the Far North community that we are taking this matter seriously and that we have a determined team of investigators working to hold those involved to account.”
Anyone with information or sightings of the Nissan Skyline with registration MWD839 should contact the Kerikeri Police at 105.
Alternatively, the information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
