A 44-year-old man has been arrested after a suspicious package was found at the Wellington Central Police Station, prompting a major evacuation.
Victoria Street in central Wellington was cordoned off for during the bomb scare. Photo: Supplied / Hamish McDonald
Hundreds of people were evacuated this afternoon from the station and surrounding buildings on Victoria St, after the item was found in the station's foyer.
An army bomb disposal team carried out three controlled explosions about 5pm.
Police have lifted cordons in the area and occupants have been allowed back into buildings.
Investigations into the incident were continuing, including further examination of the item and the scene, police said.
The front counter of the police station was closed until mid-evening but had re-opened, and all other policing functions were operating as normal.
Traffic delays as a result of the cordon were compounded by the closure of one lane on nearby Willis St for unrelated repairs.
Photo: Screenshot / Google Maps
Police said the cordons had not affected traffic on Jervois, Waterloo and Customhouse Quays.
A childcare centre on Harris St was also unaffected and parents were welcome to pick their children up, they said.
Just heard a third loud bang from the direction of the Wellington police station. @radionz @CheckpointRNZ pic.twitter.com/K8siBtN1q0
— Michael Cropp (@M_Cropp) March 14, 2017
#wellingtoncbdincident news crews, paramedic and police involved pic.twitter.com/zkVpWO2pGO
— Sally-ann Moffat (@SallyannMoffat) March 14, 2017
Police cordon on Victoria St Wellington #gohomestayhome Yay! pic.twitter.com/0XDZIDK4Ap
— Hamish McDonald (@mcdonaha) March 14, 2017
