At least four Nelson schools and the hospital are in lockdown as police respond to a family harm incident.
The Armed Offenders Squad is assisting as a precaution, police say.
Motueka Street at the intersection of Tipahi Street, is closed.
St John has been placed on standby and an ambulance, rapid response vehicle and a manager have been sent.
Police on Motueka Street, Nelson. Photo: Supplied
Victory Primary School told RNZ it is in lockdown and were told to do so just after 10:30am.
It was waiting for further instructions from police.
Nelson Intermediate School is also in lockdown and says all students are safe, accounted for and in classes with staff.
Nelson College and Hampden Street School both also confirmed on Facebook it was also locked down.
Near the scene Artistic Beauty Salon owner Karen told RNZ what she could see.
"Well I have been able to hear an alarm go off for about 10-15 minutes, and I have come out onto the roadside and up by the hospital between Franklin Street and Motueka Street.
"We've got two cop cars blocking the road and down the end of the street heading towards Vanguard. Up Vanguard Street we've got another police car blocking the road there and we have another undercover cop car with some police holding a gun," she said.
Nelson City Council said the incident was causing traffic delays on Waimea Road and surrounding areas.
The eBus route 3 was being diverted away from Motueka Street and Franklyn Street, it said, and this would likely cause delays on the route for the rest of the day.
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