Pipe bombs blow up letterboxes

Two letterboxes were destroyed by pipebombs in Hawera last night.

Police investigating the sound of two explosions south of State Highway 3 came across a man riding a bike, just after a Fairfield Road resident reported his letterbox had been blown up.

The man said he had destroyed the letterbox with a fireworks-based pipe bomb and had another in his backpack, Sergeant Brent Roycroft said.

"Police removed the backback and opened it only sufficiently to positively identify the improvised explosive device," he said.

Residents of a nearby house were evacuated and the device was detonated by bomb disposal experts at 3.30am.

Police are looking for a second man for destroying another letterbox.

He is believed to be in possession of a fourth explosive device, Mr Roycroft said.

"We know the identity of this person and ask that he come forward to police so that the device can be rendered safe."

Anyone finding an item resembling a pipe bomb should contact Hawera police on 06 278 0260.

A 21-year old man has been charged with arson.

- NZPA