A car was shot at on Coulson Rd, near Greymouth.

Greymouth police are investigating a drive-by shooting incident on the West Coast.

Senior Sergeant Mike Underwood said a car parked outside a house on Coulson Rd, Paroa, just south of Greymouth, had been hit six times.

"Police are investigating an incident where a car had received five large holes and a sixth small hole from an unknown projectile," he said.

SUPPLIED About six bullet holes were found in the car following the incident.

"It is not known what type of projectile it was at this stage but what is believed to be small fragments of bullets have been seized for testing."

The car was hit sometime between 6.30pm on Saturday and 7am on Sunday.

Neither the owner of the car, who was inside the house, nor neighbours heard anything. The owner was very distressed by the incident and contacted police, Underwood said.

SUPPLIED The car was hit sometime between 6.30pm on Saturday and 7am on Sunday.

"We don't believe there is any fears for public safety. At this stage we believe it was an isolated incident.

"We can't say if anyone has been specifically targeted but no other property on that road at that time has been damaged," he said.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area was asked to contact police.