A police investigation is underway after multiple schools across New Zealand received "phone threats" on Thursday, just days after several campus' were plunged into lockdown by bomb threats.
Threats were made to schools in Masterton, Kaikoura, Greymouth, Queenstown, Levin, Whanganui, Rolleston, Takaka, Geraldine, Dunstan, Ashburton and Palmerston North, a police statement said.
An investigation was now underway to determine the source of the calls.
A post on the Facebook page of Palmerston North's Awatapu College confirmed it was one of the schools that had received a "bomb threat".
"We are one of a number of schools in the region," the post said, adding the college had been evacuated.
"Year 10 students and above are to make their way home and make contact with parents via cellphone if practicable.
"All year nine students, given their age, are to report to the gym (which has been cleared by police) with their bags."
Police said schools were following emergency procedures.
"At this stage, police do not believe there is a safety risk."
Education Minister Chris Hipkins said the schools concerned were liaising with the police.
"It is concerning," said Hipkins, who is also the Police Minister. "It is an incredibly challenging thing for schools to have to face."
He said he didn't know how legitimate the threats were.
Asked what his message was to the people making the threats, Hipkins said: "Don't be idiots."
Several North Island schools were also locked down or evacuated by the police on Tuesday after reported bomb threats.
