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An officer who was shot three times in south Auckland this morning is lucky to be alive, police said.
The 28-year-old constable was shot during a routine patrol in Buckingham Cres, Papatoetoe about 4.10am.
Fellow officers rushed to drag their injured colleague to safety and he was taken to Middlemore Hospital, where he had emergency surgery.
Counties Manukau area commander Inspector Mike Bush said the officer was in the intensive care unit this afternoon following surgery.
"He received three firearm wounds -- one to each leg and one to his elbow. One was particularly serious as it struck a femoral artery," Mr Bush told a media conference. "He will recover but he remains sedated."
Fellow staff members who risked their lives to recover the officer deserved the highest praise, Mr Bush said.
"I have spoken to surgeons and they have said they believe that if he hadn't received treatment as soon as he did, he may no longer be with us."
Mr Bush did not name the officer but said he had been with the force for 12 months, was from Manurewa in south Auckland, and was "a very passionate police officer".
No charges have yet been laid, but Mr Bush said it was likely at least one of the two people talking to police at present would be charged.
He said three firearms had been recovered from the area - a shotgun, a high calibre pistol and another rifle.
"It's too early to tell which firearm caused the injuries. However, we know it was a high calibre firearm."
Police are searching for one or two other people who appear to have left the scene.
They did not believe these people were any danger to the public.
Mr Bush described the incident as "quite complex" and that it could take some days to determine exactly what happened.
It began when police approached a car in a driveway with its hazard lights flashing, believing someone might be interfering with it. Shots came out of the darkness.
Police assistance arrived almost immediately and six officers entered and recovered the injured officer.
Mr Bush applauded the decision of the senior staff to extract the constable in a dangerous situation.
The police cordon is likely to be lifted this evening.