UPDATE 10.40pm: Two police officers injured in today's shooting incident at Otakiri in the Bay or Plenty have been discharged from hospital.

Another officer has been transferred to Waikato Hospital in a serious but stable condition, while the officer who was shot in the hand will undergo further treatment at Waikato Hospital tomorrow.

The police operation at an Otakiri address will continue through the night. No further shots have been fired since this afternoon and the scene will remain cordoned and contained overnight.

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.

'We are also very focussed on providing all the support necessary to our injured staff and their families,” said Mr Clement.

Police can confirm reports that two dog handlers were involved in this afternoon's incident, but no dogs were hurt.

UPDATED: Police says one of the four officers shot during an incident today is currently in a serious but stable condition at Rotorua Hospital.

Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement says it is believed the officers were shot by a lone assailant who is still holed up in a house on Onepu Springs Road near Kawerau.

Four police officers have been shot and injured during an incident on a rural property near Kawerau today. Photo: Whakatane Beacon

Mike confirmed a major police operation is now underway and a police cordon around the property is still in place. Armed Offender Squad teams from Rotorua and Tauranga are involved in the operation.

Police had been in the area this morning carrying out a cannabis operation when officers heard a gun shooting at an aircraft involved in the operation at about 10.45am and then again at about 11.30am.

An AOS cordon was then established around the property.

Mike says the officers, who are all male, where shot by the gunman at about 3.45pm.

The most seriously injured was a 30-year-old officer who was airlifted to Lakes Hospital in Rotorua by the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter. He is currently in a stable but serious.

Two officers, aged 38 and 43, were also taken to Whakatane Hospital and are in a stable condition.

While the fourth officer was shot in the hand by the assailant. Police were waiting on an update of his condition.

EARLIER:

Police have confirmed a fourth officer was shot during an incident at a rural property near Kawerau today.

Posting to Twitter police confirmed the the fourth officer was injured in the shootout and is currently receiving medical treatment.

It is understood two male Rotorua officers, aged 38 and 43, were taken to Whakatane Hospital at 4.15pm and are now in stable condition.

The BayTrust Rescue Helicopter flew a third officer to Rotorua Hospital. The officer's condition is unknown at this stage.

While ONE News reported a Whakatane business owner saw a person firing shots at a police spotter plane that was searching for cannabis plants.

Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement will host a media briefing in relation to today's armed incident at Police National Headquarters in Wellington tonight, from 6pm.

Police can confirm a fourth officer was shot in this unfolding incident and is currently receiving medical treatment.

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

EARLIER:

Police have confirmed that three officers were shot and injured during the incident which occurred at a rural property near Kawerau.

In a statement, police say the three officers have now been taken to hospital where they are being treated for their injuries.

The Armed Offenders Squad is currently at the scene and the incident is ongoing.

Earlier today there were reports of officers being shot at with a high powered rifle when they went on a property in Onepu Springs Road to carry out a drug raid.

They called in AOS teams from Rotorua and Tauranga and established cordons blocking off exits from the property.

Police confirm 3 officers shot at a BOP rural address. They are being treated for their injuries. A large police operation is underway.

— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) 9 March 2016

EARLIER:

Police have been shot in an armed incident near Kawerau, police have tweeted to news media a short time ago.

Reports are coming in that two police officers have been seriously injured in a shooting at a property on Onepu Springs Road.

No other details are available from what they say is a developing incident near Kawerau where police armed offenders squad members were earlier involved in the search of a property.

Breaking - Reports police officers shot in armed incident in Bay of Plenty. This is still a developing situation. More info to come soon

— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) 9 March 2016

More details to come.