Threats against NZ schools point to ‘robohoax’
Schools across New Zealand were evacuated, sent into lockdown or shut down yesterday after phone threats.
One affected school believed the call was automated and from an overseas number, with more than 20 others receiving such calls yesterday.
Police said inquiries were under way in relation to threats at schools including St Matthew’s Collegiate in Masterton, Kaikōura, Greymouth High School, Wakatipu High School in Queenstown, Horowhenua College in Levin, Whanganui, Rolleston College, Takaka, Geraldine, Dunstan High School in Alexandra, Christ’s College in Christchurch, Ashburton and Awatapu College in Palmerston North.
‘‘Police take threats of this nature extremely seriously and [are] making inquiries to determine the source of the calls,’’ a statement said. At this stage police did not believe there was a safety risk.
The calls come days after five North Island schools in Waikato, Thames and Gisborne received bomb threats on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Marlborough Girls’ College received unrelated threats on Wednesday and yesterday. Police said they were speaking with two young people in relation to this incident.
Tasman Area Commander Simon Feltham said emergency services wanted to stress the negative impact hoax calls had on the community, and resources that may be needed to respond to other incidents.
The day’s events have the hallmarks of a so-called ‘‘robohoax’’ over several months in 2016, when dozens of schools received a call where a synthesised voice said a bomb was on school property.
Grant Congdon, principal of Horowhenua College in Levin, said the school received a bomb threat about 11.10am. People at the school had to stand out in the field in the wind and rain, and students were sent home early, a