Loaded firearm found in car after hospital sent into lockdown

Eight people have been arrested outside Hutt Hospital this morning after reports a person was armed with a firearm.

Police were called to the hospital about 10.20am and on police advice the hospital went into lockdown.

A police spokesperson said the emergency measure was lifted shortly after alleged offenders were found outside the hospital.

Weapons including a loaded firearm were found after a search of vehicles belonging to the detainees, the spokesperson said.

Police said it was an isolated event and posed no ongoing public threat.

Firearms-related charges were due to be laid, the spokesperson said.

Grace Symmans is a Wellington-based reporter who covers news in the capital. Grace joined NZME in 2025 as a producer for Wellington Mornings on Newstalk ZB. She can be emailed at grace.symmans@nzme.co.nz.