A New Zealand man suspected of shooting four police officers and who is now under siege in a house is willing to surrender, a friend says.

A woman who knows the unnamed gunman says he wants the support of family and friends before he gives himself up, the New Zealand Herald reports.

The injuries to the four police officers have sparked a major police operation in the Bay of Plenty on the North Island, with heavily armed special units being called in from Auckland.

Police confirmed at 3:45pm local time (1:45pm AEDT) that three officers had been shot. Two hours later, they revealed a fourth police officer was shot.

A local business owner told ONE News that somebody had been running around earlier in the day taking "pot shots" at a police spotter plane, which was looking for cannabis plants in the area.

An upset woman, who is believed to know the offender, was seen at the edge of police perimeter exclusion zone yelling: "They want to shoot him, that's why they won't let us in," according to the NZ Herald .

"I want us to be able to go in and get him. He is not going to shoot at us. You fellas (police) are going to go in there with your guns and protect yourselves."

Deputy New Zealand Police Commissioner confirmed at a late afternoon press conference the four officers' injuries are not life threatening.

"The sole assailant is inside the address we have cordoned," Mr Clement said.

New Zealand Police Minister Judith Collins confirmed that all four officers who were shot were dressed in protective clothing.

One officer is in a serious, but stable, condition in Rotorua Hospital.

Two of the officers are in a stable condition at Whakatane Hospital.

The fourth officer is being treated for a gunshot wound to his hand.