A person has reportedly died following a major operation at a large  Auckland mall.

Sylvia Park in the suburb of Mt Wellington went into lockdown earlier on Thursday after reports of a person with a gun. It has since been lifted.

Shop workers told RNZ they heard gunfire and were told to lock their doors.

One woman said police armed with long rifles and dogs were in the area.

Kiwi Property, which owns and manages Sylvia Park, told RNZ it was aware of an incident and it was working with police.

Dozens of police cars could be seen outside the mall's main entrance, with some reports on social media saying gunshots were heard.

Police said there was no risk to the public and the incident was now over.  However, people are asked to avoid the area.