UPDATE 1.21pm: A rural school was shut down earlier today after gunshots were heard from people hunting geese and swans nearby on Lake Rotoma.

"Police responded as a precaution but determined the three had the correct permits and licenses," says a police spokesperson.

EARLIER 12.26pm: A rural school has gone into lockdown after reports of gunshots nearby.

A spokesperson for Lake Rotoma School told SunLive the school had received a call from police.

'We got a call from police about a possible shooting in our area so we've locked the school down.”

The school is on Manawahe Road at the western end of Lake Rotoma around 36km east of Rotorua.

SunLive is working to get more information and will update the story when it is available.