Explosives found in abandoned car

File photo / NZ Herald

Police cordoned off a large area and called in army disposal experts after explosives were found in an abandoned car.

Senior Constable Graeme Ferguson of Balclutha police said six rolls of Powergel Buster were found in the abandoned car near a forestry block.

The area was used by walkers, mountain bikers, horse riders and motocross riders, he said.

Powergel Buster is capable of creating high strength, detonator-sensitive explosions.

The explosive is white with a firm putty-like consistency, and is stored in rolls similar to dog food.

Mr Ferguson said the explosives were normally used in mining, and by farmers for clearing tree stumps and rocks.

"It is an explosive, and although it needs a detonator or initiating device to explode, it becomes more unstable with age.

"These rolls look very old. They've got potential to be volatile."

Mr said the explosive material was discovered about 11.30am yesterday by a local landowner.

He believed it had been dumped there in an old car wreck, and had been there for about a week.

"It's very irresponsible behaviour. There are channels these people could have gone through to get rid of this stuff safely. They shouldn't have just left it in a public place."