Northlanders asked to stay clear of Great Exhibition Bay as controlled bomb detonation is underway

Police are responding to an incident in Great Exhibition Bay in the Far North this morning after a possible explosive device was found in the sand dunes.

Northlanders are urged not to be in the vicinity of the Great Exhibition Bay, on the east coast north of Kaitāia, after a “possible” explosive device is scheduled to be disposed of in the next 24 hours.

A police spokesperson said at 7.48am they were alerted about a volatile device that was found in the sand dunes.

After confirming its location, officers contacted the New Zealand Defence Force and affirmed it did not present any immediate danger to the public and would be “safely destroyed”.

“Regardless, we advise the public to avoid the area for the next 24 hours to assist the NZDF in disposing of the device,” the police spokesperson said.

The lead taio (environment) ranger for Te Aupōuri iwi, Niki Conrad, said the device was found at low tide on Tuesday afternoon and appeared to have washed up in the recent storm.

Public access to the area, at the northern end of the bay near Te Kao, was limited but Conrad urged locals to stay away until the explosive had been defused or blown up.

The bomb squad is due at the scene this evening.

Te Aupōuri’s taiao team had been on their way to check a sperm whale that had washed up on the northern side of Parengarenga Harbour when kaitiaki, or guardian, Rangi Everitt spotted the explosive.

Conrad said it was similar to a device he had found at North Cape some years earlier and appeared to have been in the water for some time.

A NZDF spokesperson said their Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was responding to the situation and that it was too early to comment on the exact nature of the device.

“Anyone who discovers a potentially dangerous item should always exercise caution until the item is deemed safe by an expert.

“If you do discover something that might be dangerous, remain clear of the item and contact New Zealand Police as soon as possible,” the spokesperson said.

Additional reporting RNZ