Bomb threat clears out Whakatane building

File photo / NZ Herald

People have been allowed back into a Whakatane building evacuated by police this morning after a bomb threat.

A meeting was being held at a church-owned building, the Liberty Centre in Wairaka Road, when it had to be evacuated at 10.20am as a precautionary measure.

The building and several nearby houses were cordoned off so a thorough search could be completed, a police spokesman said.

Nothing was found and people were allowed back into the area just before midday, police said.

Police are investigating the "hoax threat".

- NZPA