Police and specialist armed officers were deployed after reports of gunfire about 10am in West Auckland, New Zealand.
At least one local school in the Glen Eden area, and several preschools, were in lockdown for close to an hour.
The Glen Eden Primary Facebook page posted, at about midday New Zealnd time, that the lockdown has been lifted.
"We are all safe and well here at our kura. Our staff and students followed our lock down procedures perfectly," the post reads.
Responding to a comment, the page administrator added: "Everyone has been accounted for and is safe."
Local media have reported that a lockdown at a nearby preschool in the Glen Eden area had also been lifted.
There are reports armed police could be heard negotiating with a person who has locked himself in his house and is refusing to come out.
Cordons have been put in place on a section of West Coast Rd near Glendale Rd.
Our Kids Learning Centre also reported being under lockdown this morning.
A Facebook administrator at the preschool, called Anita, wrote: "Just letting you all know that our Glen Eden centre is currently under lock-down as there is police activity outside (police cars and helicopters). We have been in contact with police, who have given instruction to keep children inside. Due to these circumstances, this may not be the good time to pick up or drop your children as we need to keep doors locked until further instruction. We will keep you updated when the lock-down is over."
About an hour later, Anita updated the page saying the lockdown had been lifted.
"Just letting you all know that we have received the call from the police to lift the lock down. It would be fine for you all to drop off or pick up your children," Anita posted.
The NZ Herald spoke to local resident Richard Ramage, who was passing by and said he had seen a heavy police presence following some sort of disturbance.
"From what I am aware he has locked himself in the house and is refusing to come out."
Talented Tots childcare, an early childcare centre on West Coast Rd, also confirmed it went into lockdown this morning.
"Police are making enquiries ... The Armed Offenders Squad has been deployed to the area as a precaution," a police spokesman said.
The country has had a high security alert in place since March 15 when a gunman attacked two mosques in Christchurch, killing 50 people.
