UPDATED 1.42pm: Police have found a large number of military-style firearms in the ceiling of a house in South Auckland.

The firearms, including military-assault type weapons were discovered in a Takanini house, as well as an elaborate methamphetamine production set-up in a South Auckland warehouse, including a secret room.

Fourteen weapons, including AK47s and M16s were found in the ceiling

Several search warrants have been carried out, looking into the manufacture and supply of methamphetamine.

“The fact that we’ve found such an elaborate meth set-up, as well as so many guns, will have organised crime at it’s roots” said Detective Senior Sergeant Lloyd Schmid, Organised Crime Group.

Detective Senior Sergeant Schmid says a 37-year-old man was arrested yesterday at an inner-city apartment in the possession of a 9mm hand gun.

"In terms of how alarming it is, the clan lab, the elaborate set up that it was and the large number of military style automatic firemarms is very concerning.

The man will appear in court this morning on a range of serious charges.

Meanwhile, the Police Association says illegal gun possession is a steadily growing problem in New Zealand.

President Greg O'Connor said frontline police officers have been warning police administrators and the Government for some time.

"There are a large number of our criminals who are heavily armed, well armed, and this is just further evidence of it," he said.