Potentially deadly pipe bombs found by body near Auckland motorway
Photo:
RNZ / Bella Craig
Devices
found near a body beside Auckland's Southern Motorway
were pipe bombs that could have killed people, police say.
Police were alerted to the sudden death about 11.30am on Tuesday and it resulted in the motorway
being closed for many hours
.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward said an investigation into the man's "sudden death" was continuing and further specialist examination of two devices found near him had been completed.
Do you know more?
melanie.earley@rnz.co.nz
"From this examination, police can confirm both devices were in fact viable pipe bombs.
"These devices would have been capable of causing death or serious injury to any individual in proximity."
Hayward said these devices had now been safely removed and destroyed and there was no wider risk to the public.
A post-mortem examination on the man was being completed on Wednesday.
"Police also expect our scene examination to be completed this afternoon," Hayward said.
"Given the scenes proximity to a major state highway, it was imperative that the area was made safe before proceeding."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Bike belonging to missing West Coast man Roy Arbon found
Roy Arbon pictured riding from Runanga to the Mt Davy area on 23 July 2025. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police Police have found a bicycle belonging to missing West Coast beekeeper Roy Arbon. Arbon, 75, has been missing since he set out on a walk up Mt Davy to Mt Sewell near Greymouth last Wednesday. He was captured on camera riding from Runanga to the Mt Davy area. A police spokesperson said Arbon's bike was found on a nearby trail and search teams were out again despite poor weather in the area. "Our teams remain committed to the ongoing search," they said. "Roy's red bike was located on Rewanui Road and we continue to ask anyone for sightings of Roy the morning of 23 July. He was heading from Runanga to the Mt Davy area on his bike." Roy Arbon. Photo: Supplied Arbon has a storied past including helping to recover bodies [. following the Erebus air disaster in Antarctica in 1979] and the bodies of people killed at Cave Creek in 1995. He was later acquitted of cocaine smuggling charges in Western Australia after falling prey to [ an international drug scam. Anyone with information that could help police is asked to contact them via the 105 service, referencing file 250725/2139.

RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Police using thermal binoculars and drones to find illegal hunters
Photo: Hawke's Bay police say they are using thermal binoculars and drones to track down illegal hunters. At least 16 hunters - encroaching onto private land - have been caught in the region in the past six months. Sergeant Ray Wylie said hunting on private property without permission increased the likelihood of an accidental injury or death. "Lawful hunting parties are often not expecting to come across other hunters when they are operating on private property. When you hunt illegally you are putting your party and other legal hunters at risk. "Not only is it dangerous, but it is also detrimental to businesses and individuals in the community who lose money," Wylie said. Illegal hunters were risking prosecution and having firearms licences revoked and their firearms destroyed. Wylie appealed to members of the public to report any suspicious activity, vehicles or people to help the police focus their inquiries in local areas.

RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Truck crash injures two in North Canterbury
Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Two people are injured after a truck crash on State Highway 1 in North Canterbury. Emergency services were called to the single vehicle crash on Domett Road near Cheviot about 8.10am. Police said one person was seriously injured and another had moderate injuries. SH1 had closed after the crash but since reopened.