An extensive police hunt has failed to find a man who is believed to be armed and on the run in Central Otago.
Police cordons were in place in Lowburn and Mount Pisa today as police officers and a helicopter searched for the man, who is described as a European in his late teens.
He is being sought in relation to a family violence incident which happened last night.
Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said they were confident the man did not pose a risk to the public and cordons have now been removed.
He said officers were in close contact with the man's family and he was being encouraged to hand himself in.
Mr Kerrisk said police will remain in the area overnight, and people in Cromwell and Lowburn were being asked to ensure their buildings and vehicles were secure.