Eastern Bay Police believe Saturday night's house fire in Tāneatua and an earlier Ruatoki shooting are linked.
Officers were called to reports of a “gang-related” shooting on Ruatoki's Te Tawa Road around 4pm on Saturday afternoon, police said.
One person suffered injuries “consistent with gunshot wounds” and was flown to Waikato Hospital in critical condition.
A 44-year-old man appeared in Whakatāne District Court Monday, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Emergency services were called to a house fire on Tāneatua's Howell Road around 8pm.
Police said shots had been fired before a house was set alight, but the alleged offenders fled before police arrived.
Fire crews from Tāneatua, Kawerau, Edgecumbe, Whakatāne, and Ōhope were sent to the scene.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the fire was extinguished around 9pm.
Investigations continue into both incidents, and police believe "the arson and earlier firearms events are connected."
"Police would like to reassure the community that there is no believed threat to public safety, and inquiries have led police to believe these incidents involved a specific group of people," the spokesperson said.
Anyone with information on either incident should contact police on 105 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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