Tauranga Hospital lockdown ends as police take person into custody

Police investigating an alleged threatening phone call that put Tauranga Hospital into lockdown today have a person in custody.

A statement at about 4.45pm said police were no longer at the hospital.

Minutes later, a Te Whatu Ora Health NZ statement confirmed the hospital was back to its normal operational state and normal services had resumed.

How the lockdown unfolded

Police said in a statement at about 11am that the hospital was put into a full lockdown “as a precaution” after being notified of the call.

Armed police were posted at entrances.

Bay of Plenty Times reporters spoke to a patient who saw police in her ward, worried visitors unable to see loved ones, and staff told they could not enter unless it was an emergency.

In a statement at about 12.30pm Health NZ said the hospital had “received an [allegedly] threatening phone call from a member of the public” that morning and contacted police, with the hospital locked down as a precaution.

The Emergency Department had remained opened and patients were asked to come in for their scheduled appointments.

It was changed to a partial lockdown at about 2pm, while police searched for a person identified as the suspected caller.

Access to the building was being controlled and armed police remained on-site for reassurance.

Patients were asked to attend appointments as usual and staff to come in for their normal shifts, carrying ID cards.

The police asked that everyone remain vigilant and report anyone acting strangely to on-site officers, security or via 111.

Reporters at the scene said armed police were at the main vehicle entrance off Cameron Rd until about midday.

After this, armed police continued standing guard directly outside the emergency department entrance and main building front doors as people began to be let inside.

Armed police at the entrance to Tauranga Hospital this morning. Photo / Alex Cairns

Lockdown witness accounts

A patient inside the hospital told the Bay of Plenty Times shortly before 11.30am the police were “right outside our door”.

The patient, who asked not to be named, said they could see two policemen through a small window in the door.

Security guards were also present. They were not sure if armed police were also in other wards.

The patient understood they were in lockdown after a police callout in relation to threats.

Armed police outside Tauranga Hospital on Thursday morning. Photo / Alex Cairns

Pāpāmoa woman Dawn Smith said her daughter was in hospital but she had not been allowed in.

They were having coffee when police arrived, about 10.30am.

“While the police presence is scary, given the circumstances it’s good to know that they’re looking out for us and protecting us,” she said.

Armed police outside Tauranga Hospital on Thursday morning. Photo / Alex Cairns

A woman who had an outpatient appointment told the Bay of Plenty Times that when she arrived there were police at the entrance.

She said she asked reception but they didn’t know anything about what was happening and she was still able to go to her appointment.

Her daughter had dropped her off and gone to park her car but was turned away when she tried to walk in.

She said there were not many people in the building.

A Hamilton woman outside the hospital said she was worried that she couldn’t contact her father, who had been set to be discharged after surgery.

She said there were three or four police cars and more armed officers directly outside the main hospital entry and the emergency department.

Armed police at Tauranga Hospital this morning. Photo / Alex Cairns

Staff who had been having coffee at a cafe across the road said they had heard they were not allowed in or out unless it was an emergency.

Police told a doctor that he had to stay outside and “just sit and wait”.

It appeared some arriving vehicles were being turned away.