Attack to ‘surpass’ March 15

An attack threatened against Otago University graduation ceremonies would have ‘‘surpassed’’ the March 15 terror massacres, court documents reveal.

A 22-year-old woman has been charged with threatening to carry out a firearms and explosives attack against students in Dunedin on December 7 and 8.

The threat was of a ‘‘magnitude surpassing the March 15 Christchurch mosque massacres’’, charge sheets show.

The woman was charged with threatening harm to people or property after being arrested yesterday.

She was granted interim name suppression after appearing before Judge Peter Winter at Auckland District Court, bailed on strict conditions and remanded without plea until February 5.

The threats triggered the postponement of eight graduation ceremonies, ruining the plans of thousands of students.

Another person whom the defendant met on an internet dating site is alleged to have also taken part in the offending. That person has not been arrested, police said.

Southern district commander Superintendent Paul Basham said the woman’s arrest would provide a sense of relief to both the university and wider Dunedin community.

‘‘I would like to acknowledge vicechancellor Harlene Hayne, her team, and the university community for the resilience they have shown during an incredibly trying time,’’ he said.

‘‘I also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of both the investigation team and the members of our staff who have been working in the community providing reassurance.’’

Basham said police were not able to comment further as the matter was now before the courts.

The threat was received on December 8, the same day the royal commission of inquiry released its findings into the terror attack of March 15, 2019.

The eight graduation postponements affected about 2500 graduands, and further postponements at Otago Polytechnic affected several hundred students.

Hayne said she was pleased an arrest had been made over the security threat.

But it was too late to reverse the postponement of today’s graduation ceremonies, she said.

‘‘However, we have many on-campus celebrations planned and I hope graduands and their supporters will join us to celebrate their academic achievements.’’

Hayne said the university was hugely appreciative of the effort police had put into the case.

‘‘We are extremely grateful to the police for their hard work, expert guidance and support.’’

Stuff understands the woman has studied in Dunedin, but neither the University of Otago nor Otago Polytechnic would comment on if she was a former student.

Dunedin mayor Aaron Hawkin said it was a ‘‘relief’’ that police had made an arrest. He could not understand why an individual would inflict so much stress and disappointment on so many people.

Cyleste Fister, 24, had been due to graduate with a bachelor’s of biomedical science today.

She paid $1100 for her Hawke’s Baybased parents to travel to Dunedin, plus hundreds of dollars to hire the regalia and buy a new dress.

She made the difficult decision earlier this week to cancel her parents’ flights.

She felt relieved an arrest had been made, but was frustrated today’s ceremonies could not still go ahead.

Fister had one question for the person accused of making the threat: ‘‘Why?’’

Cyleste Fister, due to graduate today, had one question for the person accused of making the threat: ‘‘Why?’’