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A 22-year-old woman has been charged in connection with the recent threat directed at the University of Otago, which caused the postponement of several graduation ceremonies.
She has been charged with threatening to harm people or property and is due to appear in Auckland District Court on Friday.
The Southern District Commander, Superintendent Paul Basham, said the arrest would bring a sense of relief to both the University of Otago and the wider Dunedin community.
“I would like to thank Vice Chancellor Harlene Hayne, her team and the university community for the resilience they have shown during an incredibly difficult time,” he said.
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hamish mcneilly / Things
A 22-year-old woman has been indicted for the recent threat against the University of Otago.
“I also want to acknowledge the tireless efforts of both the investigation team and our staff members who have been working in the community to provide reassurance.”
Basham said police could not comment further as the matter was now before the courts.
The threat was received on December 8, the same day that the royal commission of inquiry released its findings on the terrorist attack on March 15, 2019.
The eight graduation postponements from the University of Otago affected about 2,500 graduates, while the postponements from the Otago Polytechnic University affected several hundred students.
Hayne said she was pleased that an arrest had been made for the security threat.
hamish mcneilly / Things
Graduates on the University of Otago campus, hours after their graduation ceremony was canceled due to an online threat.
“I am very disappointed that these actions resulted in graduation ceremonies for more than 2,500 graduates and their whānau was postponed.”
However, he said it was too late to reverse the postponement of Saturday’s graduation ceremonies.
“However, we have many celebrations planned on campus and I hope graduates and their supporters join us in celebrating their academic achievements.”
Hayne said the university was very grateful for the effort that the police had put into the case.
“We are very grateful to the police for their hard work, expert guidance and support.”
