Woman at centre of Tauranga school lockdown remains behind bars

An armed police officer at the scene of a lockdown at Tauranga's Bellevue School. Photo / file

The identity of the woman arrested following a firearms event that resulted in two Tauranga schools going into lockdown will remain a secret, for now.

The 44-year-old woman made her second appearance in Tauranga District Court today. The woman, who has continued interim name suppression, was arrested on March 7 after staff and students at Bellevue School, Otumoetai College and a nearby childcare centre were put into a lockdown situation.

Police confirmed at the time they were called to a firearms incident and that at least one shot was fired, forcing two schools and their distressed students into the emergency response.

Today, the name suppression was expected to lapse and a plea was likely to be entered as the woman appeared in court for the second time.

However, defence counsel for the woman requested the matter be adjourned for two weeks to allow for a report in their case to represent her be completed.

The woman stood restless in the dock as she watched proceedings.

Judge John Macdonald allowed the postponement, citing matters of mental health.

Judge Macdonald also allowed a continuation of the name suppression for this reason.

The woman was remanded in custody and is expected to reappear at Tauranga District Court on April 8.