Police say concerning emails sent to schools and hospitals across New Zealand came from same source

Police say they are confident emails of a “concerning nature” sent to a number of schools and hospitals across New Zealand this morning are from the same source.

A spokesperson said Cybercrime Unit staff are working to identify the origin.

“We would like to reassure the affected organisations that police are taking this matter seriously and we appreciate today has been nerve-wracking.

“We do not believe there is any actual threat to those that received the email, and we thank those affected for working alongside police. Enquiries into the matter remain ongoing and the complex task of identifying the origin of the email is underway.

Police earlier said they will not be disclosing the names of individual organisations that received emails.

St Kentigern College in Pakuranga evacuated all students and staff this morning after receiving a bomb threat.

“Please do not enter the campus as we are following evacuation procedures. Please help keep all our phone lines clear for emergency services,” the school’s website said.

Parents were sent a text about the unfolding emergency and requested to pick up their children.

Ministry of Education te tai raro hautū Isabel Evans confirmed the evacuation of the school.

“We are aware of an incident today which resulted in the evacuation of St Kentigern’s College, in Auckland. Our understanding is the school is still closed and it will not reopen until police clearance has been obtained.

“We understand the anxiety incidents such as these cause parents, caregivers, communities and schools/kura. Our local Te Mahau offices are on hand to help schools who ask for our assistance.”

NZQA deputy chief executive of assessment Jann Marshall said the safety of students and staff is a top priority.

“Each school has its own processes for handling a security lockdown, and these apply during the exam period.

“Students who are unable to sit an exam, or whose performance is impaired because of a security incident, can apply for a derived grade, or their school may apply for derived grades at scale to apply.”

Te Whatu Ora national hospital director Fionnagh Dougan confirmed hospitals received threats and said they were remaining vigilant.

“Some of our Te Whatu Ora hospital sites received an email of concern this morning which was immediately referred to police for further investigation.

“Staff have followed police advice and we are remaining vigilant. Our hospital sites have remained open and all services are continuing.

“Members of the public with appointments at our hospitals or needing emergency treatment should be assured it is safe to attend their local hospital as usual.”

RNZ understands police searched Wellington Hospital and Bowen Hospital, as well as Burwood Hospital in Christchurch.

Auckland City and Middlemore Hospital are also the focus of security checks.

In July last year, six North Island schools were either thrust into lockdown or evacuated following threats made towards the schools over the phone.

The hoax bomb threats were made to 18 schools across New Zealand and were believed to be computer-generated phone calls threatening harm to those in the school.

Te Whatu Ora and the Ministry of Education have been contacted for comment.