The man suspected of shooting dead two Work and Income staff members in Ashburton has been caught by New Zealand police.

Canterbury district police commander Superintendent Gary Knowles says the man is suffering from minor dog bites and is being taken to the Ashburton police station.

Police are still searching for the weapon used in the WINZ office shootings around 10am local time (0800 AEST) on Monday.

The man – Russel John Tully – was found not far from Lake Hood, which is the search area police have been focused on for much of the day.

Supt Knowles said police dogs tracked Tully for some distance. There was no stand-off and no shots were fired.

Tully will be medically examined before he is formally interviewed.

No charges have yet been laid.