Cordon lifted in Wellington

A police forensic investigators inspecting the suspicious device after it was exploded by a bomb disposal robot on Lambton Quay in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A suspicious package which prompted a bomb scare in central Wellington today was found to pose no risk to the public, police say.

Bustling Lambton Quay was cordoned off between Panama St and Grey St after a "suspicious package" was found outside a McDonald's outlet about 2.30pm.

A New Zealand Defence Force bomb squad was called to the scene but determined the item posed no risk to the safety of the public or staff.

It is understood police carried out a controlled explosion on the suspicious device using a robot.

The cordon was lifted after the all clear was given, police said.

An investigation into the package was ongoing, police said, and officers wanted to thank the members of the public involved for their assistance.