A shotgun attack in Tauranga last night was clearly a targeted attack, police say.

A 43-year-old man was in treated Tauranga Hospital for shotgun pellet injuries to the head after two shots blasted a Meander Drive house, in suburban Welcome Bay about 9pm.

He was treated at Tauranga Hospital. His injuries were not thought to be life threatening.

There could have been a far worse outcome, as shotgun pellets fired through a closed glass door landed in and around the bed of a young child who normally lives at the house, but was away at the time.

"It is clear from speaking to the victim, examining the scene and talking to residents that this was a concerted effort to cause serious injury,'' Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said.

Locals had signalled to police they did not want this kind of thing happening on their doorstep, he said.

"We have had good co-operation. We are following a number of avenues which should help us to ascertain the motive of the attack and identify the offender.''

Police wanted to speak to any one who had been at the southern end of Meander Drive or nearby about 8pm or 9pm on Monday.

Residents of the quiet street were in shock. They heard a loud bang and rushed to investigate.

One resident, who wanted to be identified only as Lisa, said the shot was extremely loud, puncturing the cold night air and echoing through the valley.

"I said `what was that?' My husband said it sounded like fireworks. A neighbour came down and said it was a gunshot and went to investigate. It was very loud, louder than you hear on TV.''

About six carloads of police arrived, along with dog units, and her family was up and down for the rest of the night.

Reuben Fraser, who lives with his family behind the house where the shooting happened, said he was playing a console game when he heard the shot.

He initially thought it was a car backfiring, but dogs started barking. It was not until a police officer knocked on their door at about 1.30am that they realised there had been a shooting.

Mr Fraser said it was a "pretty scary thing'' having a shooting in a street with so many children. It was a good area, although there had been a major drugs bust a bit further up the street last year.

Another resident, who did not wish to be identified, said she and her children were watching television when they heard what they thought was a gunshot.

"I wasn't exactly going to go out and investigate, it's a bit unsettling.''

- © Fairfax NZ News