Armed police and dog units were were called to a Tauranga property about 2.30pm yesterday after an altercation between workers and a group of male youths in which a toy gun was brandished.
Tauranga police Senior Sergeant Glenn Saunders said there were reports of a firearm being seen, which prompted the armed response.
Police said the people at the Cheyne Rd address had a toy gun during the altercation with the workers and it was mistaken for a real firearm.
"It was a toy gun, not a replica ... something you would go into a toy shop and buy for a 5-year-old," Mr Saunders said.
Police said they would not take further action and both parties had been warned.
