Chris McKeen/Stuff
St Kentigern College in Pakuranga was evacuated after a number of institutions across NZ received threats.
On Thursday morning, while most of the country had their eyes on the coalition negotiations, schools and medical providers across the country began receiving emails of a bomb threat.
Police have said they’re confident all the emails came from the same source, but are still trying to identify their origin.
In a statement emailed to parents, St Kentigern College in Pakuranga confirmed they had received a bomb threat – which one student said was “extremely scary.”
There are 3 reasons that someone would make such a threat, an expert in psychology said.
The perpetrator is either motivated by money, by resentment or by wanting to create a distraction, Massey University Associate Professor Ian de Terte said.
When looking at the targets, schools and medical providers, it’s likely the latter two, he said.
“[With resentment] it’s more about one-upmanship, it’s like “I’ve shown you.””
The perpetrator would get satisfaction from the threat and by seeing so many people talking about it online or through the media, de Terte said.
“They know they’re being taken seriously.”
Monique Ford/Stuff
Clinical psychologist Ian De Terte said there are three reasons someone may make a bomb threat
Threats are often used as a tactic to distract from their real motive, he said, like comitting a burglary somewhere else.
Police have to take every threat seriously, as often they don’t know if it’s a hoax or not till later, he said.
“It’s the one time that you don’t do anything, that it might not be a hoax.”
Those on the other end of the threat have to deal with the anxiety of it all – which has been heightened in recent years through general events like covid-19, de Terte said.
Head of operations for St Kentigern Kate Offord said the school got a “threatening email” at 9am.
The school immediately called police, who advised them to shut down. By 11.30am, students were being evacuated from the building and parents were being encouraged to pick up their children.
St Kents student Macey Hirst was in her NCEA level two biology exam when her room was told to evacuate.
Hirst waited on the field for about an hour before her father picked her up, however students were still waiting as she left.
“When I found out it was a bomb threat it was incredibly scary.”
Fionnagh Dougan, Te Whatu Ora’s national director hospital and specialist services, said in a statement to Stuff, some hospital sites received an email of concern this morning which was immediately referred to police for further investigation.
“Staff have followed police advice and we are remaining vigilant. Our hospital sites have remained open and all services are continuing.
Police confirmed on Thursday afternoon that investigations are ongoing.
