The dramatic moment at Okoromai Bay, on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, in Auckland was caught on camera.
The Army’s bomb squad was called to an Auckland beach after a potentially dangerous device was found floating in the water.
The New Zealand Defence Force was alerted to the situation after a marine location marker was found by a member of the public.
A Defence spokeswoman said the devicewas spotted floating in the water and handed to the Coast Guard, who then contacted the NZDF and the Police.
The device is used for search and rescue purposes and is usually triggered by contact with water. They have pyrotechnic candles and other items inside - and sometimes an explosive charge to disperse that content.
Members of the NZDF responded to the scene, at Okoromai Bay, on the WhangaparāoaPeninsula, in Auckland early this evening.
“After establishing a cordon around the beach at Okoromai Bay to prevent public access, the NZDF Explosive Ordnance Disposal team destroyed the item via a controlled demolition,” a spokeswoman said.
“Once the item was deemed safe, the cordon was lifted.”
Local resident Lee Durham, whose home overlooks the bay, said they were preparing dinner shortly before 6pm when an explosion went off.
