'Suspicious package' no bomb, police confirm

A police forensic investigator inspecting the suspicious device after it was exploded by a bomb disposal robot on Lambton Quay in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The "suspicious package" at the centre of bomb scare that shut a busy Wellington street did not contain any explosive material, police say.

Bustling Lambton Quay was cordoned off between Panama St and Grey St after a suspected explosive device was found outside a McDonalds at about 2.30pm yesterday.

The section of the street was shut for three hours, causing disruption to commuters.

Today a police statement confirmed the package was not a bomb.

"It appears that someone has gone to some effort to create the item in a way that gave the impression it was an explosive device," a police statement says.

"Police are continuing their investigation to identify the person or persons responsible. While the investigation is underway we are unable to release any further details at this stage."

It is understood police carried out a controlled explosion on the suspicious device using a robot.