Wellington and Palmerston North Courts Evacuated After Bomb Threats

If you were near Wellington or Palmerston North on the morning of 6 April 2025, both district courts emptied out almost simultaneously due to bomb threats that forced full evacuations. Police responded quickly, and the courts reopened later that day, but questions remain unanswered.

Date of bomb threat: 6 April 2025 ·
Courts evacuated: 2 (Wellington & Palmerston North District Courts) ·
Duration of evacuation: Reopened same day ·
Police response: Assessed threats, declared safe

Six key details, one pattern: the events unfolded quickly, with both courts evacuated within hours of each other and reopened before the afternoon.

What happened in Wellington today?

What caused the evacuation?

• Wellington District Court was evacuated at about 10:45am on 6 April 2025 after an alleged bomb threat (RNZ). Security staff herded people out of the building, and police dog units arrived shortly before noon (The Lawyer).
• A court visitor told the New Zealand Herald that staff said the evacuation was caused by a bomb threat (NZ Herald). No loudspeaker announcement was made during the evacuation (The Lawyer).

The implication: the threat was taken seriously enough to empty a busy courthouse on a Monday morning, but authorities chose not to broadcast details publicly.

Which courts were affected?

• Two lower North Island district courts: Wellington District Court and Palmerston North District Court (RNZ). Both were reopened the same day after police deemed them safe (NZ Herald).
• Two days later, police confirmed a third court – Wellington High Court – had also been targeted by a threat but was not evacuated (NZ Herald).

The pattern: the threats targeted multiple state institutions, not just one, suggesting a coordinated or copycat pattern.

Why were the courts evacuated?

What is a bomb threat response?

• Standard bomb threat protocols require immediate evacuation of the affected building, establishment of an exclusion zone, and a sweep by police dog units (The Lawyer). In this case, police responded to both courts and gave the all-clear after no suspicious items were found.
• The Ministry of Justice confirmed that the evacuation was a precautionary measure and that reopening would happen once police completed their checks (RNZ).

How did police handle the situation?

• Police dispatched officers and dog units to both locations. At Palmerston North, the court was evacuated before midday as a precaution (RNZ). People were allowed back inside a little before 1:30pm (The Lawyer).
• Police initially declined to say whether the two incidents were linked (NZ Herald). The specifics of the threats were not disclosed (The Lawyer).

The catch: without public disclosure of the threat details, the community is left guessing about credibility and motives.

Is there a high court in Palmerston North?

What is the difference between District Court and High Court?

• The District Court handles most criminal, civil, family, and youth cases. The High Court deals with more serious criminal offences and larger civil claims, and also hears appeals from the District Court (NZ Herald).
• On 6 April 2025, only the District Courts in Wellington and Palmerston North were evacuated. However, police later confirmed that Wellington High Court also received a threat but was not evacuated (NZ Herald).

Where is Te Papaioea High Court located?

• Te Papaioea High Court is located in Palmerston North city centre, separate from the Palmerston North District Court building. It was not affected by the 6 April threats (NZ Herald).

The trade-off: the distinction between court types matters for security — threats aimed at district courts do not necessarily affect the high courts, but the proximity raises concerns.

What officials said

“Staff and members of the public have been allowed to return inside the Wellington and Palmerston North District Courts following police checks.”

– Ministry of Justice spokesperson (RNZ)

“Police are responding to an incident in the Wellington area. A third, related threat was received at Wellington High Court but the building was not evacuated.”

– Police spokesperson (NZ Herald)

For court users and taxpayers, the question is not just whether a bomb was planted — it’s how the system absorbs the cost of repeated disruptions. With three courts targeted in a single day, the Ministry of Justice faces pressure to increase security screening and surveillance at courthouses across New Zealand. Without an arrest, the next threat could come at any time.

Related reading: Wellington and Palmerston North courts evacuated as police respond to bomb threat · Court bomb threats: Police confirm third court was also targeted

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