An 18-year-old man has been arrested after three people, including a girl and a teenager, were injured in a shooting in Gisborne last night.
Police were called to the scene following reports of multiple gunshots at a property on Totara Street, Inspector Sam Aberahama said in a statement.
The woman and two youths, who were outside the property at the time, later presented to Gisborne Hospital with gunshot-related injuries.
The woman remains in hospital with moderate injuries.
The teenager, meanwhile, is in hospital with serious injuries.
The 12-year-old girl has been discharged to her family.
Aberahama said there was a "large gathering of gang members and associates at the property at the time".
"Police are in the early stages of determining the circumstances surrounding the shooting," he said.
An 18-year-old man was arrested yesterday evening following the incident.
He is due to appear in the Gisborne District Court on October 3 charged with possession of an offensive weapon and unlawfully possessing ammunition.
Investigations are ongoing.
"We understand the distress these incidents cause in the local community and we want to reassure locals we are working hard to hold offenders to account," Aberahama said.
"This behaviour is completely unacceptable and is incredibly concerning when young people are injured as a result."
There will be a heightened police presence as officers continue their investigation and carry out reassurance patrols.
Aberahama acknowledged there have been "several high-profile firearms events in Gisborne this year in which women and children have been injured or killed as a result".
Two people are before the courts in relation to a homicide in March, while a homicide in July remains under investigation, he said.
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