New Zealand / Police

High school closed, Pipitea Street shut as bomb squad called to central Wellington

14:16 pm on 27 August 2025

Police sealed off Pipitea Street in central Wellington as bomb squads responded to a callout outside the Indian High Commission.

The bomb scare saw a remote-controlled robot sent in to search through a roadside bin.

The road has since been re-opened and police say an "item of concern" that caused the alarm has been confirmed as safe.

Police sealed off Pipitea Street in central Wellington as bomb squads responded to a callout outside the Indian High Commission. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The robot could be seen using its mechanical arm to unlock the bin with a key, and then search through its contents.

Wellington Girls' College was also locked down for a period, but has since re-opened.

Pipitea Street is home to a number of embassies and offices and is near the Parliament precinct. It was blocked off to traffic and pedestrians by police about noon on Wednesday.

A police vehicle at the scene. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

An RNZ reporter at the scene says a remote control robot could be seen opening a bin directly opposite the Indian High Commission.

The NZ Defence Force explosive ordnance disposal team also attended.

A crowd of about 15 people watched from behind the cordon.

An incident on Pipitea Street in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

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