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The university said it had received the threat electronically earlier in the week and made the decision today.
There is little police presence in the area, but a member of the supervisor’s office asked the Otago Daily Times staff outside the university’s dental school to leave the area because “they are threatened here.” He did not specify why.
There were no details on the nature of the threat, but University Vice Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne and Southern Police District Commander Superintendent Paul Basham will speak to the media outside the Central Police Station in Dunedin at noon.
People wearing graduation badges told a reporter that a man asked them to leave the area and disperse in the central area of the city. Several were crying.
Two graduations were planned for 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
Outside of dental school, Hank Neimi (21), from Dunedin, would graduate with a Bachelor of Science this afternoon. His girlfriend and her family, also from Dunedin, had been taking photos before the procession when he approached them and asked them to leave.
He said it was disappointing not being able to graduate in person, but they had pictures taken and he was optimistic they would be rescheduled.
A nearby woman was crying on the phone with her mother. She declined to be identified, but said she was “devastated” after spending months preparing for her graduation.
Jodi Evans (21), from Dunedin, who would also graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree, said there was initially a lot of confusion about what was happening as people began to disperse. She was also confused, and the fact that she was no longer graduating today had yet to sink in.
She and her friends were heading home because “they didn’t feel any safer,” she said.
Professor Hayne said police had “strongly recommended” that graduation ceremonies be postponed.
“The safety of all who plan to attend the ceremonies and the Dunedin community at large is at the center of this difficult decision. The police have strongly recommended postponing today’s graduation ceremonies and we support their recommendation, ”says Professor Hayne.
“We know this will be incredibly distressing for all who planned to participate in the ceremonies in person. For many, this was the replacement ceremony due to previous cancellations due to COVID-19. We share your disappointment. “
Currently, graduation ceremonies planned for Saturday and next week are scheduled to continue.
It is not known if the Otago Polytechnic graduation ceremony on Friday will be affected.
All graduates will receive information from the university as soon as possible about future plans. Updates will be posted on your website www.otago.ac.nz.
Anyone with information about the threats should call 105 and reference file number 201208/6592. Individuals can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555111.
