Tauranga Hospital was briefly put into lockdown this afternoon after a man arrived with what appeared to be a firearm but turned out to be a toy gun.
Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty Tauranga Hospital operations manager Julie Williams said at about 1.20pm today a man was seen walking into the hospital grounds with what appeared to be a firearm.
Williams said lockdown procedures were “immediately initiated” and police were called.
However, Williams said it became apparent that the man, who had a legitimate appointment at the hospital, was in fact carrying a toy firearm.
Police spoke with the man and determined there was no threat to the public, she said, and lockdown measures were lifted as soon as the police stated it was safe to do so.