A man's dead and a woman and two young men are in hospital - after a shooting overnight at Waitarere Beach, near Levin

Police say a 60-year-old man's died - and a 43 year old woman's injured, as well as two young men, aged 21 and 17.

Area Commander Ross Grantham has called the scene confronting.

Whanganui Chronicle reporter, Fin Ocheduszko Brown says the shooting was at a property about five-kilometres from the village.

He says several police cars are at the scene, as well as forensics staff - and officers are talking to neighbours.