Police say what was thought to be the sound of gunshots in the Hutt Valley on Tuesday afternoon was most likely banging from a fight between two men.
Armed police were called to Epuni at 2.15pm, after members of the public said they saw a man with a gun shooting at another man.
Police say one of the men involved in the argument had an air pistol but it was not drawn or fired.
They say they have now located the victim, who is refusing to give police more information about the fight.
Police say they are still trying to locate the man with the air pistol, who fled in a car that was later found abandoned on Military Road near the Hutt Golf Club.