Police in Wellington are hunting a man who pulled a gun on a police officer, according to online reports.

Stuff.co.nz are reporting that several properties in the capital have been raided in a bid to locate the gunman.

40 police, including 20 armed offender squad members, are believed to be involved in the search.

Inspector Geoff Gwyn told the site that a police officer pulled the man over in a routine stop this morning. The man, who was known to police, got out of his car and pointed a handgun at the officer before fleeing the scene.

The officer was shaken but unharmed.