Court silent on shooting threat say at Otago graduation ceremonies

Completely new Zealand | Crime

10 Dec, 2020 02: 25 AM 3 minutes to read

Otago Polytechnic has also abandoned its graduation celebrations following the University of Otago acquiring an online threat. Video / Is likely to Trafford

Otago Polytechnic has postponed its graduation ceremony scheduled when tomorrow after a threat which provided the University of Otago that would abandon its ceremony yesterday.

The polytechnic said this morning that following advice from arm of the law it had made the “devastating” outcome to postpone graduation ceremonies planned for tomorrow and pre-grad services today and tomorrow.

Earlier this morning a police speaker said they had no new instruction to share on the threat, and this evening declined to confirm a report on Stuff that raised the possibility of a shooting.

More than 600 polytechnic language learners were due to graduate tomorrow.

​Yesterday’s postponement affected when it comes to 550 students.

All of the Otago University graduation ceremony due for Saturday remains in doubt.

Otago Polytechnic chief executive Doctor Megan Gibbons said it was securely monitoring the situation and was in customary dialogue with police.

“We know how much work, electricity, heart and soul goes into study, as well as schoolteachery provision and all the various student cushion services.

“Many, many people are affected, included those who work so difficult to organise graduation ceremonies.

“However, the safety of students and staff is Otago Polytechnic’s number one priority, ” Gibbons said.

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Otago Polytechnic were going to convey its sympathy to the scholars and staff at the University about Otago, whose ceremonies were also lost.

In an email so that you students and staff, Gibbons described they were working on rescheduling events for use with next year.

Students and as well staff were given contact details if they mandatory support.

Caroline Freeman College warden Chris Addington with students and furthermore family walk away after planned As well as college of Otago graduation ceremonies operating in Dunedin yesterday were postponed. Imagine / Peter McIntosh

Otago Polytechnic Students’ Association president Nathan Laurie dietary fad the postponement did not diminish each of our achievements of students in a tremendously challenging year.

A trustworthy University of Otago spokeswoman told me it had not made a decision about despite to postpone its graduation celebration scheduled for Saturday, although which experts claim position could change later right away.

Police yesterday would not reveal the nature of the security threat actually its precise timing, but known it related specifically to university school ceremonies.

Southern place commander Superintendent Paul Basham considered that yesterday officers would continue to contact the university in the coming occasions.

“We take threats of this nature seriously and not oppose it is upsetting for those directly impaired and our wider community. ”

Southern Dispute Commander Superintendent Paul Basham and as a result University of Otago Vice-Chancellor Harlene Hayne explain why the event were basically called off. Made with funding from NZ On Air. Video and ODT

Public started the investigation on Tues afternoon, Supt Basham said.

The university indicated and the threat was received electronically.

Police and the university in order to say why there seemed to be virtually any lag before the final call was performed.

University of Otago vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne says having to postpone nuance ceremonies was distressing. Photo and Christine O’Connor

University of Otago vice-chancellor Harlene Hayne said the situation appeared to be to distressing for anyone who had planned to be mixed up in ceremonies.

“For a wide range of, this was the replacement ceremony considering previous cancellations due to Covid-19, micron she said.