Reassurances Northland communities are safe despite another shooting

Police were alerted to a suspicious person in Tangowahine, north of Dargaville, this morning

The man was wanted for drug and firearm charges - and officers shot him three times after he fled into a field and opened fire on a police dog.

He's in a stable condition in Auckland City Hospital.

Superintendent Tony Hill says he appreciates locals' concerns - and their support - after the fourth Northland shooting in recent months.

He says these are isolated incidents and locals shouldn't be worried for their own safety.