The Defence Force says it does not know how a burglar was able to get past security patrols and alarms at an Auckland ammunition store and admits security was inadequate.
Ammunition, flares and cartridges went missing from the Kauri Point depot in the suburb of Chatsworth on the North Shore at the weekend but the theft was not reported until Monday.
Kauri Point was the subject of harsh criticism in a report three years ago that found its fences needed fixing and that $150 million worth of ordinance was stored in old and leaking warehouses.
The depot's commander, Captain David Proctor, says there is 24-hour security at the depot and alarms on site, but a burglar still got through.
Security has been tightened this week, he says.
Police believe they have recovered most of the stolen material and say no explosives were involved.
Detective Sergeant James Watson of North Shore police says officers executed a search warrant at a Glenfield address late on Tuesday, with the support of the Armed Offenders Squad.
A 25-year-old man was due to appear in the North Shore District Court on Wednesday on burglary charges.
