Man surrenders after threat on bus

Armed police surround the bus at the centre of the stand-off. Photo / NZPA

A man who locked himself in a bus outside Napier's travel centre today and threatened to use explosives has surrendered quietly to police.

Napier police Inspector Chris Wallace said the incident was resolved safely shortly before 4pm.

An eyewitness told NZPA that about 3.45pm the man, believed to be a Maori in his twenties, walked off the bus with his hands in the air.

Armed police officers walked him about 30 metres and he was told to lie on the ground while police searched him.

No explosive device was found and the man was taken away in a police vehicle.

Mr Wallace said police negotiators had been in phone contact with the man throughout the afternoon.

"We are pleased that the man chose to walk off the bus and come out and meet with police. The man is now in custody."

Mr Wallace said it was too early to say why the man had made the threat.

The bus was still outside the travel centre in Munroe Street as police needed to search it to see if any explosives were present.

"We thank people for their patience and cooperation throughout this incident," Mr Wallace said.

Police were talking with the 10 to 12 passengers and the driver who were on the Hastings-Tauranga service to see what information they could provide.

"The incident has caused some disruption to the Napier central business district and we're sure residents and businesses will be pleased that it is over," Mr Wallace said.

The incident started at 11.35am when the man, a passenger on a coach parked at the centre, threatened that he had an improvised explosive device.

All passengers and members of the public were evacuated and the armed offenders squad surrounded the area.

InterCity Group said the incident was causing disruption to some InterCity and Newmans bus services in the North Island.

NZPA

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