Man arrested over threats made at Whenuapai Air Force base

4:24 pm on 6 June 2019

A man has been taken into custody after making threats at Whenuapai Air Force Base in Auckland.

Whenuapai Air Base - RNZAF Base Auckland

Whenuapai Air Base Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Police arrested the man about 7.35pm on Wednesday after the Armed Offenders Squad and emergency services were called in response to threats made at the Whenuapai Air Force base in Auckland.

RNZ understands the incident involved a bomb threat.

All roads leading to the base were cordoned off, including motorway off-ramps.

Emergency services called for reinforcements.

Police said the 42-year-old was arrested without incident.

They have spoken to the man, who will appear in court later, with charges yet to be laid.

Police said they conducted a scene examination on Thursday morning and were still conducting enquiries around the circumstances of the incident.

A spokesperson for the New Zealand Defence Force said the explosive ordnance disposal team found no explosives at the scene of the incident.

"Any intrusion into a New Zealand Defence Force camp or base was a matter of concern," the spokesperson said.

"In the wake of last night's incident we will conduct an investigation to establish what occurred, how it occurred and identify any lessons or improvements we can make to our procedures and processes."