Cordons blocked off access around properties in Christchurch's Redwood on Tuesday night after an "item of concern" was found.
A neighbour, who said they were asked to evacuate, told Newshub armed police had shut down the local area, after being at a nearby address earlier in the day.
They believed the bomb squad had been called in.
Police told Newshub on Tuesday evening officers were at Grimseys Rd during the day conducting search warrants at two residential addresses in relation to ongoing investigations.
"In one of the search warrants an item of concern was located, cordons were put in place as a precaution however the item has since been made safe," police said.
They added police are "limited in the details we can release at this time" due to it being an ongoing operation.
The cordons have now been stood down.
