Police have cordoned off a Tauranga building. Photo: RNZ / Patrice Allen
A Tauranga building has been evacuated after "potential explosive threats" were discovered.
Police were called to the commercial building, on Whiore Ave in Tauriko, around 10.45am, a spokesperson said.
"While examining declared firearms, Customs staff discovered some items that may pose potential explosive threats," the spokesperson said.
"As a result, the building was evacuated and the police cordon was put in place to secure the premises."
Defence Force staff were on the scene, the spokeperson said.
Whiore Ave is an industrial area with a range of buildings, including plumbing and drainage companies, mechanics, marine shops, removal companies and horticultural suppliers.
In a statement, a Customs spokesperson said the potentially explosive items were among an imported shipment of personal belongings.
The property in question was a licensed Customs controlled area and was licensed for importing goods.
"As part of examining the declared restricted goods, potential explosive items were located, which triggered Customs' standard operating procedures and Police were notified," the statement said.
"Firearms, daggers and bayonets are restricted imports and require a permit to import. Customs physically examines these restricted goods against the permit to ensure all requirements of the permit to import are met.
"Customs officers are trained to identify potential explosives and follow necessary protocol accordingly."
A worker at a nearby business said a number of people were evacuated around midday on Monday, but the street had since gone quiet.