Photo: ODT FilesTwo Tauranga schools were put in lockdown this morning after a person was seen with a weapon. Tauranga Girls' College told RNZ there was an "incident" out the front of the school and Police were then called. "The person alleged to have a weapon was located, where Police found a knife in their possession, and taken into custody," they said. Gate Pā School said it was also put in lockdown after a man with a weapon was seen outside Tauranga Girls' College. "All students, staff and visitors followed instructions calmly and did an excellent job during the lockdown," Gate Pā principal Rochelle Jensen said on Facebook.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 16, 2026 22:50 UTC