Rotorua court to remain closed today, arrest in relation to lockdown

A man has been arrested after an incident that saw the Rotorua District Court put in lockdown and guarded by armed police yesterday.

Ministry of Justice chief operating officer Carl Crafar said the courthouse had been evacuated and closed following a threat yesterday afternoon and it would remain closed today.

Police were notified about 4.10pm that the Rotorua District Court had gone into lockdown following a verbal threat being received.

An armed cop stands guard outside the Rotorua District Court. Photo / Ben Fraser

Armed police were sent as a precaution.

Rotorua police acting area commander Inspector Phil Taikato told the Rotorua Daily Post at the scene a telephoned implied gun threat had been made to the court.

Police found nothing of concern and confirmed there was no threat to the public.

Notice on the front of the Rotorua court house today. Photo / Stephen Parker

A 53-year-old man was arrested and charged with threatening a person and taking, obtaining or using a document for pecuniary advantage.

A spokeswoman from the Rotorua Crown Solicitor's office said they had been told that the Rotorua courthouse locked down was expected to be in place until at least lunchtime.

She said had no other information about why the courthouse was in lockdown but understands people who had matters in the court today were being told to come back tomorrow.