Experts doubt New Zealand has become a terrorist target after a "significant" threat aimed at an international tennis tournament in Christchurch.
Police and tennis authorities have confirmed the threat had been made against one of the 11 countries taking part in the Federation Cup Asia/Oceania Zone tournament starting
on April 17.
The threat was contained in an email received by the International Tennis Federation in London which referred to the Christchurch event and named a competing nation that would be targeted.
Canterbury Tennis has decided against cancelling the event, and instead will rely on a comprehensive security plan devised with police.
Director David Blackwell would not reveal which country had been singled out at the tournament, but said it was a "significant security threat".
"We all accept that these things are unheard of in New Zealand, but we need to take them very seriously."
Police said they were working to track the origin of the threat. They were unwilling to give any further details.
"We are confident that the protection and systems are in place to ensure there is a safe tournament," said Detective Sergeant Earle Borrell of Christchurch police.
Countries competing in the tournament are India, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Korea, New Zealand, Syria, Jordan and Singapore.
Terrorism analyst Paul Buchanan, of Auckland University, said the threat seemed likely to be about a conflict within tennis circles rather than international affairs.
"For dramatic effect, tennis players are not the way to go [for terrorists]," Dr Buchanan said.
"The impact of an attack at a minor tennis tournament at the bottom of the world ... probably would not matter much. It indicates probably a much more localised dispute."
"New Zealand has not done anything to incur the wrath of people disposed to this type of action."
Peter Cozens, of the Centre for Strategic Studies, said it was the nature of the current world environment that multiple conflicts were occurring and New Zealand was not immune.
"From an international perspective, we just have to be alert. That's the best we can do."
He praised the event organisers for not folding to the pressure of a threat.
"If you cave in to blackmail then the world will become a lot less free than it is at the moment."
