Specialist equipment is brought in as Christchurch police investigated the discovery of a suspicious package. Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
Businesses were evacuated and a busy road closed while Christchurch police investigated reports of a suspicious package.
Police said they were alerted to the package in Woolston about 8am on Thursday.
They closed Ferry Road from Ensors Road to Hopkins Street while they carried out a scene examination and asked the public to avoid the area.
A person in protective clothing carried an object away from a shared business carpark near Hart Street shortly before 10am.
A loud bang appeared to come from within the cordon, but it was unclear whether the noise was related to the package.
Officers investigate an object inside the cordon where a suspicious package was reported. Photo: RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon
Police later said they had deemed the package not suspicious, and reopened the road.
Cordons were set up and handful of businesses were evacuated, with one staff member saying they had been unaware of a suspicious package being reported until police knocked on the door and asked them to leave.
At least four patrol cars had been at the scene.
Police were continuing to search an empty lot next to The Tool Shed machinery store.
Police cars at the corner of Ferry Road and Ensor St, Christchurch, on Thursday morning. Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock