18 Dec 2020

Police arrest 22yo over Otago university graduation threat

10:01 am on 18 December 2020

Police have made an arrest in relation to the recent threat targeted at the University of Otago graduation ceremonies.

Clock tower building on campus

Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

A 22-year-old woman has been charged with threatening harm to people or property.

She was due to appear in Auckland District Court today.

The university called off eight graduation ceremonies and parades, scheduled from 9-19 December, because of an online threat.

Thousands of students were expected to graduate over the two weeks.

University of Otago Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne said she was relieved an arrest had been made, though extremely disappointed 2500 students could not graduate last week and this week.