UPDATED: A scene examination is underway as Police Commission Mike Bush holds a briefing following the arrest of a man at the centre of a 22 hour siege in the Bay of Plenty.

Mike says it's believed three of his staff were shot with a shotgun and one might have been shot with a .22 rifle.

Rhys Warren is driven away by police, following his arrest. Photo: Fairfax Media.

When asked about the role of family in the operation, Mike says police must work in partnership and the response and the result in the way this turned out "speaks for itself”.

Taupo area commander Warwick Morehu is being hailed a hero after he entered the property this morning to talk with Rhys Warren.

'To me the heros are the guys that went to hospital yesterday,” says Mike.

EARLIER:

Police have arrested a man at the centre of a 22 hours armed standoff in the Bay of Plenty.

The man was arrested without incident, say police.

An army LAV armoured vehicle at the siege before the alleged gunman was arrested. A video from Stuff.co.nz shows what unfolded at the scene yesterday evening.

Renee Wetini says her son had sent text messages to whanau last night saying he did not want to go back to prison.

Rhys Warren told them suicide was an option, reports Stuff.

"He's been weighing it up and he doesn't want to go back to prison so he was thinking of shooting himself," says Renee.

Warren was 21 years old when he beat up a dog ranger in Kawerau and spent time in prison, she says.

He's been out of prison for nearly two years but Renee says time inside affected him.

"I have a feeling that whatever was going on in prison has affected him mentally.

"He's come out of prison and he's loved the freedom."

She wanted him to come out freely.

"He would've been really scared. There were 100 cops here this afternoon, all armed up and everything and ready to go in."

Whanau approached police earlier in the day to help get Warren out but they didn't know at the time that officers had been shot.

"He's scared.

"He knows what he's done and that's it for him. He has to go back to [prison] but he doesn't want to go back."

BREAKING - Police can confirm the individual has been arrested without incident in BOP and is now in custody. More to come.

— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) March 9, 2016

"Our priority was always to resolve this without further risk to police staff or the public. This welcome development follows lengthy contact throughout the night with the individual by police negotiators and other police staff," says Police Commissioner Mike Bush.

"The individual will be given a medical check and taken to Whakatane Police Station."

Police will interview the man in due course about the events that have unfolded in the last 24 hours.

"I would like to thank all police staff and those in other emergency services who have worked on this operation," says Mike.

"I'd particularly like to thanks our colleagues in the New Zealand Defence Force who have provided support.

"I would also like to thank the public in the Bay of Plenty and beyond who have sent countless messages of support to the injured officers, and the wider police operation."

Mike says it's heartening to see the good will received during such events.

"I have this morning visited the two police officers who are in Waikato Hospital. I can say they are in good spirits, despite the traumatic events which they have experienced in the last 24 hours."

A major police investigation has commenced, which will build a full picture of what led to yesterday's shootings which led to four police staff being injured.

"I appreciate there are many questions which will be asked about this event.

"We will conduct a thorough and detailed investigation to establish exactly what happened, and act on any learnings which may arise," says Mike.

"I can say, however, that the successful resolution of this incident is due to the work of dedicated, professional staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the last 24 hours to achieve a safe outcome.

"The safety of the individual in custody, his family, the public and police staff has been our absolute priority from the outset."

Earlier:

Taupo Police area commander Inspector Warwick Morehu has just walked inside the cordon to speak to the man at the centre of a shooting in the Bay of Plenty.

Army lend support to police at the scene. Photo / George Heard

In a statement to media this morning, the family say this is what they have wanted all along.

Taupo police area commander Inspector Warwick Morehu has just walked inside the cordon to speak to Kawerau gunman https://t.co/41Ji1JvBoy

— Newstalk ZB (@NewstalkZB) March 9, 2016

Warwick Morehu, with armed forces, will enter the cordon to "collect their son", says a spokesperson for the family.

EARLIER:

Cordons remain in place around a property near Kawerau this morning after four police officers were shot.

Police say the situation at Onepu Springs Road remains unchanged.

"The major police operation is ongoing, but no further shots have been fired overnight," says a statement from police this morning.

"The priority for police remains resolving the situation peacefully, and ensuring the safety of everyone involved."

Cordons remain in place and a large number of police staff, including specialist units, have worked throughout the night.

Police are also working with the family of the individual involved to keep them updated about the police operation.

The mother of the alleged shooter told Stuff her son had got a job helping build a local geothermal park, where she found out Mongrel Mob gang members were also working.

"I told him to finish, which he did because he realised why ... it was too late. I think he was already impressed."

Police had no proof the shots had come from the house. They could have easily come from the other side of the road where there was a firing range, she says.

Before working at the geothermal park, her son had done a carpentry course and had planned to join the army but was too young.

Cordons remain in place on Onepu Spring Road to ensure the safety of everyone in the area.

— Bay of Plenty Police (@BOPPolice) March 9, 2016

The man's family remain at the cordons and have urged him to surrender.

The status of the four injured officers remains unchanged.

Two were discharged from hospital yesterday while another two are being treated in Waikato Hospital.

One is in a serious but stable condition.

Acting Commissioner Mike Clement says police are heartened by the messages of support which have been received from people throughout the country.

'I realise this incident will have caused great shock to the community in the Bay of Plenty and beyond.

'I would like to reassure everyone that police are doing everything we can to get this situation resolved peacefully.

'Bay of Plenty staff have told me they have been greatly touched by the messages they've received from the public and it is heartening to see the support which police receive in these difficult situations," says Mike.

'We are also very focussed on providing all the support necessary to our injured staff and their families."

Additional reporting - Stuff.co.nz

Police cordons at Onepu Springs Road overnight. Photos: Cameron Avery.

Rescue helicopters and ambulance with other emergency services at Onepu Springs Road.