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The 22-year-old appeared in Auckland District Court today on charges of threatening to harm people or property.
You have been granted provisional name suppression and must surrender your passport and remain at your parents’ home at all times unless you are attending a medical appointment, TVNZ reported.
The threats, made for the first time on December 9, led to the cancellation of the graduation ceremonies at the University of Otago and the Otago Polytechnic, affecting thousands of graduates.
In announcing the arrest of the woman this morning, Southern District Commanding Officer Paul Basham said the university and the Dunedin community at large would be relieved.
“We know this result will bring a sense of relief to both the University of Otago and our broader Dunedin community,” he said.
Supt Basham recognized Vice Chancellor Harlene Hayne, her team and the university community for the resilience they had shown during “an incredibly difficult time.”
“I also want to thank the tireless efforts of both the investigation team and our staff members who have been working in the community providing reassurance.”
As the matter was before the courts, the police did not want to comment further.
THOUSANDS OF GRADUATES AFFECTED
The threats, made for the first time on December 9, led to the cancellation of the graduation ceremonies at the University of Otago and the Otago Polytechnic, affecting thousands of graduates.
Despite the arrest, it was too late to change the arrangements for tomorrow’s postponed ceremonies.
However, Professor Hayne said the campus celebrations would go ahead.
Graduates will participate in a parade that will begin outside Te Kura Pakihi, the Otago Business School, at Union ST East starting at 11:15 a.m. M.
They will pass over the hill, through the Arch into the Courtyard behind the Clock Tower, around the front of the Clock Tower and across the Memorial Bridge in the center of campus. You will then travel north to end up at the St David Lecture Theater building.
Professor Hayne said she was relieved that an arrest had been made.
“I am extremely disappointed that these actions resulted in graduation ceremonies for more than two thousand five hundred graduates and their whānau was postponed.”
While eight graduation ceremonies had to be postponed, Professor Hayne said a silver lining had been the way the university, graduates and their supporters had come together to celebrate in a less formal way.
“I have been delighted to see how graduates and their families, friends and roommates have overcome this disappointment and continue to seize the opportunity to celebrate, marking their accomplishments in their very personal way,” he said.
“The manaakitanga of the Dunedin students and community has come to the fore and I know everyone made the most of their special time here on campus.
“I wish all of this year’s graduates the best and thank you for your understanding and patience.”
Professor Hayne said the university greatly appreciated the police who had worked “tirelessly” to achieve a result.
“We are very grateful to the police for their hard work, expert guidance and support.”
Otago Polytechnic Executive Director Megan Gibbons said the polytechnic remained sad that 615 graduates who participated in two ceremonies last week would have to wait until next year.
“However, I am extremely proud of our staff, students, and their whānau, for the way we quickly come together to create an alternative celebration of the achievements of our graduates,” said Dr. Gibbons.
“They were grateful for our efforts and we were grateful for their understanding. We are very proud of them and wish them every success.”
“We thank the police for their guidance and continue to work with them as they continue their work of keeping our communities safe.”
[email protected]/ additional report NZ Herald
