A 50-year-old man has been arrested and charged in relation to a bomb threat to a Whangarei rest home.
Shalom Aged Care, a rest home in Mill Rd, received a call at 10.30am on Saturday from a male who allegedly claimed there was a bomb under one of the buildings which was due to go off at midday.
As a result of the call 29 residents and four staff members had to evacuate in 28 degree heat and Mill Rd was blocked off to traffic.
Police searched the property and no device was found.
A 50 year-old local man was arrested and charged late yesterday afternoon, and will appear in the Whangarei District Court.
Inspector Al Symonds said the man has been charged with threatening to cause harm which carries a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment.
"We hope that this sends a serious message to anyone who thinks this type of hoax is a light-hearted offence. Police take any threat like this extremely seriously," he said.
"You will be found and we will hold you to account."