A man has been charged and will appear in court after a shooting in Kawhia on Thursday that left one dead and three injured.

Three men, aged 28, 23, and 20, are recovering in Waikato Hospital while a fourth died from his injuries.

A 37-year-old man was charged with possession of a firearm and methamphetamine. He will appear in the Hamilton District Court on Friday.

The three injured men have also been arrested and charged with aggravated burglary.

The incident is understood to have taken place at a farm near Hauturu School, where the four men who were shot went to find help afterwards.

A neighbour in a cordoned-off area near the school told Newshub on Thursday they weren't allowed to leave the area and kids couldn't go to the school where the incident happened.

The neighbour had heard yelling and shouting to "surrender" at 4am, with armed offenders squad teams swarming the school grounds.

The neighbour spoke of clothes being strewn around the school house.

On a road near the school, there was a red vehicle upside down. That has been taken away as well as a white vehicle, the neighbour said.

A forensic post-mortem is being undertaken on the dead man who has yet to be formally identified.

Police are currently conducting scene examinations at several locations in the Kawhia area, but want to reassure people there is no risk to the community.

No one else is being sought.

Newshub.