Two people and gunman dead in Auckland, New Zealand shooting

The male offender who was armed with a pump action shotgun is also dead.

He has been identified as 24-year-old Matu Tangi Matua Reid.

The shooting unfolded at a construction site on lower Queen St before 6am, near to hotels where many football teams and visitors are staying for the FIFA Women's World Cup.

New Zealand police commissioner Andrew Coster said the man had worked at the site and the shooting was believed to be connected with the workplace and not politically or ideologically motivated.

Mr Coster said the man made his way up through the site firing on multiple occasions before he barricaded himself in a lift shaft.

"The offender fired at police, injuring an officer, shots were exchanged and the offender was later found deceased," he said.

"Tragically police located two members of the public deceased on the lower levels of the building site."

The police officer was taken to hospital in a critical condition and has since stabilised, while five other people have been hospitalised with moderate and serious injuries.

Mr Coster said the offender, who has not been formally identified, was known to police and had a history of family violence.

The man was serving a home detention sentence but had an exemption to work at the site.

"We're satisfied there is no ongoing risk to the public and no reason why the tournament should not proceed - the matches are safe to attend," Mr Coster said.

"I want to acknowledge this has been a shocking and traumatic event for those people who came to work and found themselves in the middle of an armed emergency."

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins earlier assured locals and visitors there was no national security risk.

"Clearly with the FIFA World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland," he said.

"I want to reiterate that there is no wider national security threat. This appears to be the actions of one individual."

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC Melbourne radio he had sent his condolences to Mr Hopkins.

"This should be a day of celebration as the FIFA World Cup begins in Auckland and Sydney and this tragedy where two people have been killed and others injured by this gunman is just horrific news," he said.

It comes just hours before the opening match of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park.

New Zealand Football confirmed all its women's players and staff were safe and said preparations for the match would continue as planned.

The public has been asked to avoid the area and investigations are under way.