17 Apr 2019

Man charged over AK47 and homemade bomb remanded in custody

11:07 am on 17 April 2019

A Whangārei man charged with having a homemade bomb and firearms including an AK47 has made a second court appearance.

Whangarei High and District Court

Photo: Ministry of Justice website

Daniel Van Houten, 36, was arrested after police searched his house on Otaika Road two weeks ago .

They said they found an AK47, an explosive device, a semi-automatic .308 rifle, a pistol comet flare gun and ammunition for which he had no firearms license.

During his court appearance in Whangārei, Mr Van Houten smiled broadly at his mother in the public seats and joked with his police guard.

He was remanded in custody again pending psychiatric reports ordered by the court and is due to reappear next month.