A man is dead after a firearms incident in Darfield, 35km west of Christchurch.

Police were called out to a reported shooting on Bangor Rd in the Canterbury township just after 4pm on Sunday, following reports a man had threatened a family member with a gun.

A family member told police that the man had left the house, but then fired his weapon a number of times outside - including in an attempt to re-enter the house by shooting down the door.

Two witnesses living nearby told Newshub they could hear a number of shots being fired.

Upon their arrival, police officers and the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) noticed a man attempting to flee the property in a vehicle.

They laid road spikes to prevent him making a getaway, but he drove at one officer, hitting him and causing him to suffer a serious leg injury.

The driver was shot at by police in response, and was found dead in his car on Bangor Rd moments later.

Police are now carrying out a post-mortem and scene examination.

The officer hit by the fleeing car is now in hospital and is now having surgery on his leg.

Police say the incident was "extremely traumatic" for all those involved - both the deceased man's family and the officers - and will be providing the necessary support to all those affected.

Newshub.