Military says storage safe after weapons find

The New Zealand Defence force is confident their security procedures surrounding weapons storage is sound after a number of military style weapons were discovered in Christchurch last week.

Police discovered an arsenal of bombs and weapons at a Hoon Hay house last Wednesday following a standoff with the occupant.

This prompted a review of Defence Force ammunition and weapon control procedures.

Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson confirmed today that the systems put in place were "robust".

"Having reviewed our procedures and legal responsibilities, I am satisfied that the Defence Force offers the highest levels of safety, security and accountability that could reasonably be required," said Air Marshal Ferguson.

The three armed services necessarily hold many millions of items of ammunition and about 25000 firearms and 15000 other types of weapon systems, he said.

The Military Police were examining the possibility of a link between some of the items recovered and the New Zealand Army.

If it was established that the items came from the army, the Defence Force would pursue the matter as a case of theft.

Among the weapons allegedly found at the address were a paraflare, a fragmentation grenade, thunderflashes, modified thunderflashes to act as a bomb and a large quantity of ammunition.

- NZPA