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Three people are dead - including the gunman - after an armed man stormed a construction site in the Auckland CBD ahead of the Women's World Cup opening match.
The 24-year-old shooter was wearing an ankle monitor when he entered a building on lower Queen Street at about 7.20am NZST on Thursday.
Six people have been injured, three with serious injuries. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the shooter had no ideological or political motivation.
Several tradesman in high-vis were seen crouching half way up the skyscraper as emergency services swarmed the area below.
The gunman stormed the CBD building near Britomart just after 7am with fire alarms sounding and a series of gunshots heard just after 8am.
About 100 tradesmen were ordered by police to take cover on the building's roof.
A worker inside the tower, which is currently being renovated, told local media he saw a man with a gun run up the stairs 'floor by floor'.
Mr Hipkins told a press conference that the shooter was armed with a pump-action shotgun and that two killed had been innocent civilians.
Three people are dead - including the gunman - after an armed man stormed a construction site in the Auckland CBD ahead of the Women's World Cup opening match (pictured, an injured police officer is escorted to a nearby ambulance by his colleagues)
Six people have been injured, three with serious injuries. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the shooter had no ideological or political motivation (pictured, the scene)
'I want to thank the brave men and women of the New Zealand police, who ran into the gunfire, straight into harm's way, in order to save the lives of others,' he said.
'These kind of situations move fast and the actions of those who risk their lives to save others are nothing short of heroic.'
The prime minister confirmed the FIFA Women's World Cup would go ahead as planned and reiterated the shooting was not an act of terrorism.
'Clearly with the FIFA World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland. The government's spoken to FIFA organisers this morning and the tournament will proceed as planned,' he said.
'I want to reiterate that there is no wider national security threat. This appears to be the actions of one individual.
'My understanding from the advice we've received so far is that there was no identified political or ideological motivation for the shooting and therefore no national security risk.'
A tradie who escaped from the building ran into the gunman on the stairs at about 7.20am and said he felt 'shaken' following the confrontation.
He said workers had been evacuating when a man in a dark jacket appeared and ordered them to get on the roof, otherwise he would shoot.
'He looked like he was looking for someone,' another worker told the NZ Herald.
One man said he thought the fire alarms was a training exercise before his manager started screaming at him to do 'down, down, down'.
He said he and his terrified colleagues had no idea what they were running from as they ran up and down the stairs of the 22-storey building.
He spotted a man with a 'big puddle of blood around him' as he fled the building.
Relieving Auckland District Commander Sunny Patel told reporters the gunman had continued to shoot as he moved through the high-rise.
The 24-year-old shooter was wearing an ankle monitor when he entered a building on lower Queen Street at about 7.20am NZST on Thursday
Heavily armed officers descended on a building in Auckland's CBD after reports of a gunman
'Upon reaching the upper levels of the building, the male has contained himself within the elevator shaft and our staff have attempted to engage with him,' he said.
'Further shots were fired from the male and he was located deceased a short time later.'
The major police operation comes just hours before the opening ceremony of the FIFA Women's World Cup which is set to take place in Eden Park, Auckland.
New Zealand and Norway are scheduled to face off at 5pm AEST.
Former Football Fern Maia Jackman told local media she was standing in the fan zone known as the Cloud at a nearby wharf when police swarmed the area.
'It's pretty scary actually. So they pushed us to the back of the cloud where we are and we're just trying to keep sane,' Ms Jackman said.
'There's lots of security and lots of uncertainty.'
A spokesperson for the US Women's Football team, who are staying near Britomart, said in a statement that all players and staff were safe and accounted for.
'Our security team is in communication with local authorities and we are proceeding with our daily schedule,' the spokesperson said.
National Party Leader Christopher Luxon urged Kiwis to come together and support the families affected by the 'terrible incident'.
Peter Filopoulos Head of Marketing, Communications and Corporate Affairs with Football Australia said he was 'deeply saddened' by the shooting.
'Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families in these difficult times. As a peace-loving nation, we stand with New Zealand in solidarity,' he said.
'The situation seems to be contained now, thanks to NZ authorities. This incident is unrelated to the Women’s World Cup. Stay safe everyone.'
About 100 tradesmen were told by police to take cover on the building's roof
In a statement, NZ Police said the serious incident in Auckland CBD was contained to a building in lower Queen Street which is currently under construction
In a statement, NZ Police said the serious incident had been contained to a building in lower Queen Street which is currently under construction.
'Police ask all members of the public to avoid the lower Queen Street area and for those in downtown inner-city buildings to remain inside their buildings at this time.
'This is a significant incident with multiple emergency services responding.
'A large police presence will remain in the area. Police will provide a further update as soon as we are in a position to do so.'
Several roads remain closed, including sections of Lower Hobson St, Quay St, Queen St, and Lower Albert St. All ferry services have been suspended until further notice.
The Auckland University opened just after 11am with classes to go ahead as planned.